EU Competition Law analysis of football transfer fees

EU Competition Law analysis of football transfer fees Abstract: In this master's thesis, I assess the compliance of the transfer fees used in football with EU Competition law. I submit that the transfer fee system in its current state is a decision of an association of undertakings that is not compliant with Article 101 TFEU due to the restriction it imposes on the player supply market. This restriction prevents small market clubs to recruit good players and compete with large market clubs. I argue that the restriction cannot be justified under the Meca-Medina framework since it does not achieve the alleged objectives. The system is not inherent in pursuit of improvement of competitive balance at all. Even though it is inherent to promotion of youth development, it goes beyond what is necessary, and as such is disproportionate to the restriction is causes. The system neither qualifies for the exception of Article 101(3) TFEU, since it does not result in any efficiencies. However, I suggest that the effects of the transfer fee system cannot be assessed in isolation, but rather in the context with other football regulation, especially revenue redistributive mechanisms and limits on spending. In this context, I found the transfer fee system to have an aggravating negative impact on competitive balance because...