FC Barcelona beats European justice
Our team of Public Law has successfully represented Futbol Club Barcelona in challenging the Decision of the European Commission in Case SA.29769, regarding State Aid administered to certain Spanish football clubs.
Although other parties had challenged the Commission Decision, only the legal action brought by FC Barcelona was successful. The General Court annulled the Commission’s decision classifying the tax regime applicable to four Spanish professional football clubs as State aid.
This case is relevant as it is the first instance where the European Commission applied State Aid rules to Sport. Furthermore, two important procedural principles were established; the inquisitorial principle and that the burden of proof lies with the Commission.