UEFA Faces £17.5 Million Lawsuit Over Alleged Theft of Champions League Format
UEFA is facing a significant challenge as Chilean sports consultancy MatchVision has filed a lawsuit seeking over €20 million (£17.5 million; $23 million) for the alleged appropriation of its league-phase format used in men’s club competitions since 2024. The case, initiated in April, has recently moved to a court in Lausanne, Switzerland, where UEFA’s headquarters are located.
MatchVision claims that UEFA’s revamped competition format, commonly referred to as the “Swiss model,” infringes on intellectual property rights. This format, which expanded the Champions League from 32 to 36 teams and replaced the traditional group stage with a league format, was reportedly influenced by the threat of the European Super League (ESL) in 2021. MatchVision asserts that it presented the league format concept to UEFA in 2013 and that it has been recognized as their intellectual property by FIFA.
The claim filed by MatchVision is specific, seeking €20,005,551 in damages and an additional €200,000 for founder Leandro Shara personally. The consultancy contends that interest should also be applied for the previous and upcoming seasons, indicating their expectation that UEFA will not readily concede to their demands.
Shara, who describes himself as a creator of mathematical algorithms used in various industries, including sports, claims that his pots format, which is central to the current Champions League structure, has been misappropriated. He argues that UEFA has attempted to alienate the format from its rightful creator by using different names.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, UEFA has not yet formally responded to the lawsuit, as they have not been officially notified. However, a spokesperson previously dismissed MatchVision’s claims as “baseless,” asserting that UEFA would robustly defend its position.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for UEFA and the future of the Champions League format could be significant, especially in light of ongoing tensions stemming from the ESL controversy.
