Tag: EU competition law
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Power Cables and Cardboard Packaging: Sumal confirmed and refined
On 16 April 2026 the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) delivered its judgment in the joined cases C-672/23 Electricity & Water Authority of the Government of Bahrain and Others (Power Cables) and C-673/23 Smurfit Kappa Europe and Others (Cardboard Packaging). The ruling further clarifies the interaction between the Sumal doctrine and Article 8(1) Brussel I bis Regulation in the context of competition damages claims. The judgment addresses…
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The CJEU rules in the Diarra case – FIFA’s transfer rules restrict free movement and competition
From a competition law perspective, sport is, in some ways, unlike other industries. It may be driven by ideals other than profit, such as sporting merit and fair play. It also only functions through collaboration: associations, leagues and clubs need to agree on fixture dates and kick-off times, amongst other things. But sport also involves…
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AG Opinion in FIFA v BZ – Further competition trouble for football rules
Most professional football transfers happen when a player is free to leave because their contract expires, or when current club, player, and new club come to a mutual transfer agreement. But the world is not perfect. Situations arise where a player does not live up to expectations or does not feature in the manager’s plans.…