Debreceni VSC reiterates our position that European football’s future well-being can only be secured through clubs working together through ECA in strong partnership and collaboration with UEFA and FIFA. This will drive our focus in light of today’s ECJ ruling on the ESL case, which in no way endorses any so-called Super League project. Below please find an ECA statement on today’s Judgment:

ECA statement on ECJ judgment
21 December 2023

European Club Association (ECA), representing nearly 500 professional football clubs across
Europe, takes note of the judgment issued by the European Court of Justice today.
To be absolutely clear, the judgment in no way whatsoever supports or endorses any form of
Super League project.

Since the legal case was brought two years ago, major progressive governance reforms have
already been put in place across the ecosystem of football in Europe and worldwide, including
new UEFA rules for competition pre-authorisation; and in particular, reforms under ECA’s
Memorandum of Understanding and Joint Venture with UEFA, and FIFA (signed in September
and March this year). Through ECA, clubs today are already at the heart of decision-making in
relation to the competitions they participate in.

In short, the world of football moved on from the Super League years ago and progressive
reforms will continue.
Most importantly, football is a social contract not a legal contract – all the recognized
stakeholders of European and world football – spanning confederations, federations, clubs,
leagues, players and fans – stand more united than ever against the attempts by a few
individuals pursing personal agendas to undermine the very foundations and basic principles
of European football.

ECA will continue to work with UEFA, FIFA and all recognized stakeholders of football to
develop the game positively and progressively – founded on the principles of sporting
meritocracy, inclusiveness, open competition and genuine solidarity. These principles are at
the heart of ECA, and at the core of the European Sports Model, on which all levels of the
pyramid benefit and prosper.