Real Madrid has announced plans to seek substantial compensation from UEFA after a Spanish court on Wednesday dismissed an appeal by European football’s governing body concerning the controversial Super League project.
The Super League, unveiled in 2021 by 12 top European clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona collapsed within days following widespread backlash from fans, particularly in England, and threats of sanctions from both UEFA and FIFA.
In December 2023, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that UEFA and FIFA’s attempts to block the competition were contrary to European law, arguing that the governing bodies had violated free-market principles. A Spanish judge later reinforced this position, ruling that UEFA and FIFA engaged in anti-competitive practices by abusing their dominant positions in European football.
The latest ruling from the Madrid court also rejected appeals lodged by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation. While the decision’s full impact remains to be seen given that both FIFA and UEFA have since revised their competition rules it marks another legal win for the Super League’s backers.
In a statement, Real Madrid said it was “delighted” with the judgment, which confirmed that UEFA “seriously infringed European Union competition laws by abusing its dominant position.” The club added that it would continue to “work for the good of global football and its fans,” while pursuing “substantial damages” from UEFA.
A22 Sports Management, the firm promoting the Super League project, echoed Real Madrid’s sentiments, expressing regret that UEFA had “refused to engage in meaningful compromise or reform.” The company said it had “no choice but to initiate proceedings to seek compensation for the damages suffered.”
