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2 Glob. Sports Pol'y Rev. 1 (2021-2022)

handle is hein.journals/gblspr2 and id is 1 raw text is: 

Global Sports Policy Review                                         (Autumn 2021)
Volume 2 Issue 1                                                    ISSN (0): 2582-8886
ew    spr. rm                                                       Pages: 1 -17



The European Super League: Examining the Validity of UEFA's
                    Bans   from   the  Players'   Perspective

Manthan  Dalwai, Law Scholar, Jindal Global Law School


                                         Abstract


On  18 April 2021, 12 of Europe's biggest clubs announced the formation of a break away
league, the European Super  League  (ESL). UEFA,  in their attempt to halt the league,
threatened to impose bans on the players of the 12 clubs. Chelsea and Manchester City
pulling out, set off a chain reaction which culminated with the ESL being shelved. The
whirlwind 72 hours brought forth many points of deliberation, one of them being the rights of
the players. One must wonder  had the ESL  not capitulated but commenced  as soon as
practicable, where it would have placed the players. This paper will look at the rights of the
players by examining the validity of UEFA's ban and asserting that the ban would amount to
a repudiatory breach of employment contracts by the participating clubs.

The first part of the paper will look at UEFA's threats of an international ban on players. By
analysing the tiers of regulations and the International Skating Union case it will argue that
UEFA's  ban would constitute a restraint on freedom of trade. The paper will look to build on
the Metropolitan Court of Madrid's order which pointed out the fallacy in the proposed ban.

The  second part of the paper will analyse the contractual situation of the players from the
perspective of employment contracts. It will assert that the conscious act by the clubs, which
would  obstruct players from participating in international competitions would constitute a
repudiatory breach. The paper will then examine the possible recourses the players had in
such a situation.

The author will conclude that the proposed ban was arbitrary and illegal. The players would
be fully within their rights to elect the acceptance of a repudiatory breach and be free to
negotiate employment contracts with a new club.



Keywords:  European Super League, Player Rights, Regulations, Ban, Repudiatory Breach


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