Real Madrid has announced its intention to pursue significant compensation from UEFA following a Spanish court’s decision to dismiss an appeal from the European football governing body concerning the breakaway Super League. The project, initially proposed in 2021 by 12 elite European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, was quickly met with strong opposition, particularly from English clubs’ fans, and was further undermined by threats from UEFA and FIFA. Despite the initial collapse of the Super League, the legal battle surrounding it continues.
In a landmark decision in December 2023, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that UEFA’s ban on the Super League violated European law, paving the way for further legal actions. The ruling has been seen as a major blow to UEFA, which had been firm in its opposition to the breakaway league.
This latest development follows a Spanish judge’s ruling last year, which found that UEFA and FIFA had engaged in anti-competitive behavior by actively blocking the Super League and abusing their dominant positions. The court deemed their actions contrary to the principles of free competition within the European Union, further validating Real Madrid’s stance on the matter.
The court’s decision also dismissed appeals from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, which had sided with UEFA in its efforts to prevent the creation of the Super League. However, the scope of the court’s ruling remains unclear, as UEFA has since restructured its regulations in response to ongoing legal challenges.
Real Madrid expressed its satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing that it had been confirmed that UEFA had indeed infringed upon European Union competition laws. The club reiterated its commitment to advancing the interests of global football while continuing its legal fight for damages from UEFA.
A22 Sports Management, the entity behind the Super League project, also responded to the decision, expressing regret that UEFA had refused to engage in meaningful reforms or compromise. The management group stated that it had been left with no other option but to initiate legal proceedings in order to secure compensation for the financial damage caused by UEFA’s actions.
As the legal saga continues, Real Madrid’s pursuit of compensation underscores the ongoing tensions between traditional football governing bodies and those advocating for alternative structures in European football.
