The long-running European Super League dispute moved toward its conclusion on Wednesday after Real Madrid the final club still tied to the controversial breakaway project reached an agreement with UEFA to settle their legal conflict.
Madrid, led by president Florentino Perez one of the strongest backers of the Super League concept alongside promoters A22 Sports Management, had been pursuing $4 billion in damages from European football’s governing body following the collapse of the initiative.
“UEFA, the European Football Clubs (EFC, the sole, independent body representing football clubs within Europe) and Real Madrid CF reach an agreement for the good of European club football,” read a joint statement released by both parties.
“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.”
Both organisations confirmed the deal centres on “respecting the principle of sporting merit with emphasis on long-term club sustainability” as well as “the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology.”
Barcelona the only other club still publicly linked to the project confirmed their withdrawal last week. The Super League was originally launched in 2021 by 12 founding clubs but rapidly collapsed amid fierce backlash from fans, institutions, and governing bodies.
The six English sides involved Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Chelsea were the first to exit shortly after the announcement. Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus followed in the years after, leaving only Madrid and Barca attached until recently.
After a Spanish court ruled that resistance from FIFA and UEFA “prevented free competition,” Madrid and A22 had prepared legal proceedings against UEFA.
However, a source close to the situation told AFP that Wednesday’s development marked “a historic agreement” and the start “of a period of peace” beneficial to all stakeholders.
UEFA had already moved to reshape European competition structures, approving the Champions League’s expansion to 36 teams from the 2024/25 season introducing a league-phase format with more matches, increasing each club’s schedule from six to eight games.
