Real Madrid And Super League Seek Over $4bn In Damages From UEFA

Real Madrid along with the advocates for the Super League are seeking compensation exceeding $4 billion from UEFA, charging the overseer of European soccer with illegally obstructing the proposed alternative league, as verified by a source speaking to AFP on Thursday, October 30.

This action comes in the wake of a ruling from a Spanish judiciary on Wednesday, which turned down UEFA’s challenge connected to the matter and aligned itself with the supporters of the Super League.

The Super League, introduced in 2021 by a dozen of Europe’s leading teams, such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, fell apart almost immediately following intense opposition from supporters, especially those in England, coupled with warnings of penalties from UEFA and FIFA.

During December 2023, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decided that the efforts by UEFA and FIFA to halt the Super League breached European antitrust regulations. Subsequently, a Spanish magistrate concluded that these two regulatory entities had “prevented free competition”, pointing fingers at them for engaging in practices that stifled rivalry and exploiting their commanding influence within European soccer.

Additionally, the Madrid tribunal dismissed objections from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, thereby paving the path for the Super League’s proponents to advance their monetary demands.

A22 Sports Management, the entity behind the promotion of the Super League, expressed sorrow over UEFA’s unwillingness to pursue substantial changes even after “months of discussions.” The organization indicated that it faced “no other choice” except to demand reimbursement for the losses suffered.

“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.”

Even with this verdict in place, UEFA insists that its existing set of regulations continues to hold firm. Through a message provided to AFP, the body declared: “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.”

Nevertheless, Real Madrid rejoiced in the result, describing it as a major triumph in the courts that established UEFA had “seriously infringed the European Union’s free competition rules” through the misuse of its authority.

“The club will continue to work for the good of global football and fans, while claiming substantial damages from UEFA,” the Spanish giants said in an official statement.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli