Author: Saimi Merenlahti
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While Spain took the trophy, Luxembourg took another look at the rulebook
This July, while the rest of us were tuned in to the World Cup, remarkably, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) delivered a hat-trick of its own: three football-related judgments. Beyond the beautiful game, they shared a common question, namely, how to reconcile the regulatory and disciplinary autonomy of football governing bodies…
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The revised FDI Screening Regulation 2026 and its implications for national FDI regimes
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24–36 minutes—
Saimi Merenlahti, Daniel Baker, Sam Wolters, Mattijs Baneke, Ghazale Mandegarian-Fricke, Marie-Laure Combet, Lasse Nordström, Annagreta SirénOn 8 June 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a revised Regulation on the screening of foreign direct investments in the EU (revised FDI Regulation or Regulation).[1] The new rules replace the current FDI screening framework that has been in force since October 2020 (current FDI Regulation).[2] The revised FDI Regulation will shortly be published in the EU’s…
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Belgian Market Court upholds BCA’s interim measures against UCI gear ratio rule
On 20 May 2026, the Market Court (Brussels Court of Appeal) dismissed an appeal brought by the International Cycling Union (“UCI”) against interim measures imposed by the Belgian Competition Authority (“BCA”) in October 2025, keeping in place the interim suspension of the UCI’s controversial “maximum gear ratio” rule. The judgment is a further reminder that sporting regulations,…
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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…