Real Madrid and the promoters of the proposed European Super League are seeking more than $4 billion in damages from UEFA, accusing the continental body of unfairly blocking the breakaway competition, a source told AFP on Thursday.
Gatekeepers Newsreports that a Spanish court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by UEFA against the Super League, marking the latest development in a legal battle that began in 2021.
The Super League was launched that year by 12 top European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the project collapsed within days following widespread backlash from English club supporters and threats of sanctions from UEFA and FIFA.
In December 2023, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that UEFA’s and FIFA’s actions against the Super League violated European competition law. A Spanish judge later reinforced that view, declaring that both governing bodies had “prevented free competition” and abused their dominant market position.
The Madrid court also rejected appeals by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation.
A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League project, said UEFA’s refusal to compromise or reform had left it “no other choice” but to seek compensation.
“After years of legal proceedings, UEFA can no longer ignore binding court decisions,” said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart.
“By abusing their monopoly and preventing new initiatives, they have caused substantial damages to numerous clubs, players, and other stakeholders across Europe.”
However, the legal implications of the court’s ruling remain unclear, as UEFA’s regulatory framework has since been overhauled.
“This ruling does not validate the abandoned ‘Super League’ project announced in 2021, nor does it undermine UEFA’s current authorisation rules, adopted in 2022 and updated in 2024,” UEFA said in a statement to AFP.
“These rules ensure that any cross-border competitions are assessed on objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and proportionate criteria.”
In contrast, Real Madrid welcomed the decision, describing it as confirmation that UEFA had violated EU competition laws.
“The club announces that it will continue to work for the good of global football and fans, while claiming substantial damages from UEFA,” the Spanish champions said.
