The Italian and French governments seem to be mobilising to create legislation to stop any of their clubs joining. In England, a football regulator is part of the desire to clip the wings of the biggest clubs, backed up by legal powers if anyone starts to be seduced.
And that probably sums up the next steps.
If A22 comes forward with a plan and Uefa says no, it is impossible to imagine they won’t go straight back to the courts. If another body comes up with another plan and that is rejected, the same would probably apply.
If clubs were minded to join but felt they were stopped due to legal process, the lawyers would also get involved.
But there is also another path.
The powerful ECA is expanding. Its short-term aim is 500 members.
Since Super League collapsed, Al-Khelaifi has proved himself to be an astute politician. The Qatari has power – he comes from a country with significant wealth and growing connections – and has a vision.
Having worked closely with Uefa to create a joint commercial and marketing arm, the shift wouldn’t be too great for the ECA to get control of the game on behalf of Europe’s clubs, which is what Super League was supposed to be about.
It will probably be years before the full extent of the ECJ’s ruling becomes established.
But no-one should be surprised if Al-Khelaifi – and numerous lawyers – turn out to be the big winners.