Real Madrid and Super League promoters are demanding over $4 billion in compensation from UEFA, claiming unfair obstruction of the breakaway competition.A Spanish court has rejected UEFA’s appeal regarding the league, following the initial proposal in 2021 by 12 elite European clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.The Super League project failed to materialise due to strong opposition from English club supporters and warnings from UEFA and FIFA.The European Court of Justice determined in December 2023 that blocking the Super League violated European law.A Spanish judge ruled that FIFA and UEFA had engaged in anti-competitive practices by opposing the Super League.The Madrid court dismissed appeals from both La Liga and the Spanish football federation.“We regret that UEFA has refused any path of compromise and reforms despite several months of discussions, and we have no other choice but to initiate proceedings to obtain compensation for the damages suffered,” stated A22 Sports Management.“After years of legal proceedings, UEFA can no longer ignore binding court decisions. By abusing their monopoly and preventing new initiatives they have caused substantial damages to numerous clubs, players and other stakeholders across Europe,” said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart. The court’s decision impact remains unclear as it addresses regulations that have been completely revised.“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, which remain fully in force. These rules ensure that any cross-border competitions are assessed on objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and proportionate criteria,” UEFA responded in a statement.“The club announces that it will continue to work for the good of global football and fans, while claiming substantial damages from UEFA,” Real Madrid declared in their statement, expressing satisfaction with the ruling that confirmed UEFA’s serious infringement of European Union’s free competition rules through abuse of its dominant position.
