The European Commission has given Uefa’s financial fair play (FFP) rules a clean bill of health, stating that they are compatible with EU competition law. This might seem to be a surprising decision, given that many sports lawyers have argued that the rules are in conflict with competition law. However, the Commission was extensively consulted about the rules.
The European Commission has given Uefa’s financial fair play (FFP) rules a clean bill of health, stating that they are compatible with EU competition law. This might seem to be a surprising decision, given that many sports lawyers have argued that the rules are in conflict with competition law. However, the Commission was extensively consulted about the rules.
This is far from the end of the matter, particularly given that the Commission does not appear to enter into a legal analysis of the rules. They could be taken to the European Court on appeal and there is also a pending case before a Belgian court that could be referred for a ruling.