The European Union Court of Justice will stage a hearing on July 11 and July 12 over the legal dispute on football’s planned new Super League, a spokesperson confirmed on Friday.

The European Super League company filed a lawsuit against governing bodies UEFA and FIFA at a Madrid court which moved the case on to the Luxembourg-based European court.

The Super League aims to determine via the lawsuit that UEFA and FIFA opposed the Super League by having acted beyond what it should.

“It acted as a cartel and misused its dominant position on the market for the organisation of international football club competitions in Europe and on the market for the commercialisation of the rights attached to these competitions”.

The plaintiff has also requested security measures “to enable the establishment and organisation of the European Super League”.

Twelve clubs had in April 2021 announced the forming of a Super League but the plan collapsed within days after fierce opposition from fans, leagues and federations.

Nine of the clubs withdrew swiftly: all six English sides Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, plus AC and Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.

But Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Juventus still pursue the plan, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez saying late last year that UEFA’s monopoly violates European Union law.

The European Union Court of Justice has said that all 12 clubs are shareholders of the Super League company which is taking legal action.

The July hearing is expected to be followed by a report from a court advocate general. A verdict would come several months later.

(dpa/NAN)