Actual Madrid are looking for “substantial damages” from UEFA after a Spanish courtroom dominated of their favour over the failed European Tremendous League plot.
The Spanish membership mentioned the Provincial Courtroom of Madrid had dismissed appeals by UEFA, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) and LaLiga, and that the courtroom had confirmed UEFA had “seriously infringed the European Union’s free competition rules in line with the CJEU ruling by abusing its dominant position”.
Actual Madrid had been one in every of 12 golf equipment who introduced themselves as founder members of a brand new European Tremendous League in April 2021, with their president Florentino Perez one of many key architects of the plans.
UEFA and FIFA blocked the plans, which rapidly fell aside amid fan protests by supporters of England’s ‘Large Six’ golf equipment, who had been additionally founder members. UEFA additionally sought to sanction the golf equipment concerned.
In December 2023, the Courtroom of Justice for the European Union (CJEU) acknowledged that the foundations utilized by UEFA to dam the competitors in 2021 had been opposite to EU regulation. UEFA adopted new authorisation guidelines in 2022 which it believes do adjust to EU regulation.
The CJEU ruling adopted a referral by a Madrid business courtroom that handled the preliminary Tremendous League authorized proceedings.
UEFA insisted the ruling “does not validate the abandoned ‘super league'” or “undermine its current authorisation rules”, in a press release launched shortly after Actual Madrid’s.
After which there have been two…Barcelona and Actual Madrid are the one remaining founders of the European Tremendous League for now
The European Tremendous League was rebranded because the ‘Unify League’ in 2024. Barcelona and Actual Madrid are the one golf equipment that stay formally on board however reviews in Spain have claimed the Catalonian membership are planning to drag out.
Evaluation: Is that this a victory for Actual Madrid?
Sky Sports activities Information’ soccer correspondent Rob Dorsett:
Actual Madrid are claiming a authorized victory of their ongoing battle with UEFA, the Spanish FA and La Liga.
However it’s thought UEFA are pretty relaxed as the most recent improvement – which supplies Actual Madrid depart to hunt damages by way of the courts – doesn’t imply any such declare might be profitable sooner or later.
Nonetheless, it’s a continued supply of friction between Europe’s governing physique and probably the most profitable membership within the historical past of European soccer.
For the reason that collapse of the Tremendous League, UEFA modified its guidelines in 2022 to attempt to tighten up the laws round any new cross-border leagues.
Earlier this month, the European Parliament handed a ruling that formalised its opposition to “breakaway competitions”, saying that they “endanger the overall sport ecosystem.”
Actual Madrid’s assertion in full
Actual mentioned in a press release issued on Wednesday: “Real Madrid CF is delighted that the Madrid Provincial Court has dismissed the appeals lodged by UEFA, the RFEF and La Liga, confirming that UEFA, in the Superliga matter, seriously infringed the European Union’s free competition rules in line with the CJEU ruling by abusing its dominant position.
“This ruling opens the best way to say the substantial damages suffered by the membership.
“Furthermore, Real Madrid reports that throughout 2025 it has held numerous discussions with UEFA to seek solutions, without reaching any compromise on more transparent governance, financial sustainability, protection of players’ health and improvements to the fan experience, including free and globally accessible broadcasting models as was the case at the FIFA Club World Cup.
“Accordingly, the membership declares that it’s going to proceed to work for the nice of world soccer and followers, whereas claiming substantial damages from UEFA.”
UEFA’s statement in full
UEFA issued its own statement shortly after Real’s, which read: “UEFA takes observe of immediately’s judgment by the Madrid Courtroom of Attraction regarding the so-called ‘tremendous league’.
“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 guidelines be certain that any cross-border competitions are assessed on goal, clear, non-discriminatory and proportionate standards.
“This development comes after the European Parliament this month adopted a landmark resolution explicitly reiterating its opposition to ‘breakaway competitions’ as they ‘endanger the overall sport ecosystem’.
“UEFA will rigorously evaluate the judgment earlier than deciding on any additional steps, and won’t be commenting additional at this stage.
“In the meantime, UEFA remains firmly committed to the European sports model, built on sporting merit, open access, solidarity and the protection of the football pyramid.
“It can proceed working with associations, leagues, golf equipment, gamers, followers, and public authorities to safeguard the unity of European soccer.”
