Real Madrid and European Super League promoters have sued UEFA for over $4 billion in damages.
They accuse the football body of blocking competition and violating European Union laws.
Real Madrid and the promoters of the European Super League have filed a lawsuit demanding over $4 billion in damages from UEFA, accusing Europe’s football governing body of illegally stopping plans to start a new elite competition outside UEFA’s control.
The legal action follows a Spanish court ruling on Wednesday that dismissed UEFA’s appeal and sided with the Super League organizers. The project, first announced in 2021 by 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona, was meant to be a rival competition to the UEFA Champions League. However, it collapsed within days after massive backlash from fans and threats of sanctions from UEFA and FIFA.
In December 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA and FIFA’s attempt to block the Super League breached European Union competition laws. A Spanish judge later found that the two bodies had abused their dominant positions and restricted free competition in football. The same court also rejected appeals from La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation, clearing the way for the Super League’s backers to claim financial compensation.
A22 Sports Management, the company promoting the Super League, said it had no choice but to seek damages after UEFA refused to consider reforms. “By abusing their monopoly and blocking new initiatives, UEFA has caused serious harm to many clubs and players,” said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart.
UEFA responded that the ruling does not revive the abandoned Super League project and that its new authorization rules from 2022 and 2024 remain valid. The organization said those rules ensure that any new cross-border competition is assessed fairly and transparently.
Real Madrid hailed the decision as a major legal victory, saying it proves UEFA violated EU competition laws. The club said it would continue to “defend football’s freedom and the rights of clubs and fans” while pursuing full compensation for the losses caused.
