Statement by FC Shakhtar regarding the judgement of the European Court of Justice

On 21 December 2023, the European Court of Justice published its judgement in the EHL case

"Shakhtar Donetsk Football Club takes note of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in the EHL case, which in no way supports any so-called Super League project. As a club, we are 100% committed to working through the ECA with other European clubs to uphold the values that define European football. This can only be achieved through the ECA's close partnership with UEFA. Below is the ECA's statement on today's decision.

"The European Clubs Association (ECA), which represents almost 500 professional football clubs across Europe, takes note of today's judgment of the European Court of Justice.

It is clear that the judgment does not in any way support or endorse any form of the Super League project.

Since the initiation of the case two years ago, major progressive governance reforms have already been introduced in the football ecosystem in Europe and around the world, including UEFA's new rules on prior authorisation of competitions; and in particular the reforms under the ECA's Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with UEFA and FIFA (signed in September and March this year). Thanks to the ECA, clubs are already at the centre of decision-making in the competitions they participate in.

In short, the world of football moved away from the Super League many years ago, and progressive reforms will continue.

Most importantly, football is a social contract, not a legal contract, and all recognised stakeholders in European and global football - confederations, federations, clubs, leagues, players and fans - are standing united as never before against the attempts by a few individuals pursuing personal interests to undermine the very foundations and basic principles of European football.

The ECA will continue to work with UEFA, FIFA and all recognised football stakeholders to develop the game in a positive and progressive way - based on the principles of sporting meritocracy, inclusivity, open competition and genuine solidarity. These principles are at the heart of the ECA and at the heart of the European sporting model, where all levels of the pyramid benefit and thrive."