Real Madrid and the promoters of the European Super League are demanding more than $4 billion in damages from UEFA, accusing the governing body of unlawfully sabotaging the breakaway competition, a source told AFP on Thursday.
A Spanish court on Wednesday dismissed UEFA’s appeal concerning the league.
Launched in 2021 by 12 elite European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Super League collapsed within days following fierce backlash from fans of English clubs and threats of sanctions from both UEFA and FIFA.
In December 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA’s and FIFA’s ban on the Super League breached European competition law. A Spanish judge later held that the two organisations had “restricted free competition” by opposing the project, thereby engaging in anti-competitive conduct and abusing their dominant position.
The Madrid court also rejected appeals from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation.
A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League, criticised UEFA for “refusing any path of compromise” and failing to embrace reform after months of discussions. The firm said it had “no other choice” but to seek compensation for the losses suffered.
“After years of legal proceedings, UEFA can no longer ignore binding court decisions,” said A22’s Chief Executive, Bernd Reichart. “By abusing their monopoly and blocking innovation, they have caused serious financial harm to clubs, players, and stakeholders across Europe.”
However, the full implications of the court’s decision remain unclear, as the ruling applies to regulations that have since been rewritten.
UEFA stated that the decision “does not validate the abandoned Super League project announced in 2021, nor does it affect UEFA’s current authorisation rules, adopted in 2022 and updated in 2024, which remain fully in force.” The organisation added that its current rules ensure all cross-border competitions are assessed using “objective, transparent, non-discriminatory, and proportionate criteria.”
Real Madrid said it was “delighted” with the ruling, which it claimed confirmed that UEFA had violated European Union competition law by “abusing its dominant position.”
The club added that it “will continue to work for the good of world football and its supporters, while pursuing substantial damages from UEFA.”