Chilean sports consulting company "MatchVision" has accused UEFA of copying the European Cup competition format implemented in 2024.
Idman.Biz reports this with reference to "The Athletic".
The company, founded by Leandro Shara, is demanding more than 20 million euros in compensation from UEFA. The claim was initially filed in Spain in April and then sent to a court in Lausanne, where UEFA's official headquarters are located, in September. The organization led by Aleksander Čeferin has not yet received an official notification, but after receiving it, they will have 20 working days to respond.
The dispute arose because, according to "MatchVision", the new concept that forms the basis of the updated competition system, which replaces the group stage with eight matches against different opponents, was developed and registered in Chile in 2006.
Shara claims that he presented the project to UEFA in 2013 and at several subsequent conferences. The compensation claim is more than 20 million euros for the company and more than 200,000 euros for Shara, plus interest for past and future seasons. UEFA, which called the claims unfounded in 2023, has not yet made an official statement.