The European Super League saga neared its conclusion as Real Madrid, the last club involved in the failed breakaway project, and UEFA announced on Wednesday an agreement to resolve their legal dispute.
Real Madrid, led by president Florentino Perez who has been a fervent advocate for the Super League, and promoters A22 Sports Management were seeking $4 billion in damages from UEFA after the project’s collapse.
“UEFA, the European Football Clubs (EFC, the sole, independent body representing football clubs within Europe) and Real Madrid CF have reached an agreement for the good of European club football,” read a joint statement by Real Madrid and UEFA.
“This agreement of principles will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European
Super League, once such principles are executed and implemented.”
In the statement, Real Madrid and UEFA mentioned their agreement centred on “respecting the principle of sporting merit with emphasis on long-term club sustainability” and “enhancing the fan experience through the use of technology.”
Last week, Barcelona confirmed their withdrawal from the Super League, which was launched by 12 clubs in 2021 but quickly folded under intense fan and institutional pressure.
Shortly after the semi-closed Super League project was announced, the six English clubs involved—Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea—all withdrew.
Four other clubs, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus, followed suit by 2024, leaving only Barcelona and Real Madrid still involved.
After a Spanish court ruled that opposition to the Super League from FIFA and UEFA “prevented free competition”, Madrid and A22 initiated legal action against UEFA.
A source described Wednesday’s announcement as “a historic agreement” and the start “of a period of peace” benefiting all parties.
In 2022, UEFA decided to expand the Champions League to 36 teams and introduce the league phase, grouping all sides in the same table and increasing the number of matches from six to eight, starting from the 2024/25 season.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
