Spanish giants Real Madrid have issued a statement following a Spanish regional court ruling related to long-running discussions over plans for a European Super League.
Real Madrid are seeking compensation from UEFA for “substantial damages” amid the fallout from the Spanish club’s failed European Super League plans. The Spanish club was one of 12 teams put forward as founding members of the competition, only to be stood in the way by European football’s governing body.
Many Premier League clubs are among the members scheduled to be established, and supporters began large-scale protests in 2021 when the news broke. The English side then withdrew from the proposed league, but other teams, including Madrid, took their own positions in the meantime.
In 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union issued a statement stating that the rules used to block the Super League proposal violated EU law. Although this does not guarantee that a Super League will be established in the future, the decision was welcomed by Real Madrid and fellow La Liga club Barcelona at the time.
The club has now announced that Madrid’s local court, Audencia, has rejected an appeal from football’s governing bodies, including UEFA. In a statement responding to the latest developments, the club noted that the door is open to claims for damages.
“Real Madrid CF welcomes the decision of the Audiencia Province to reject the appeal drawn up by UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga,” a Madrid statement read. “This judgment confirms that UEFA, in line with the CJEU judgment, abused its dominant position in the Super League case and committed a serious breach of European Union competition law.
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“This judgment paves the way for a substantial claim to compensate the club for the damage it has suffered. Real Madrid also reports that extensive discussions have taken place with senior UEFA officials throughout 2025 to find ways to achieve the necessary reforms, but no agreement has been reached regarding more transparent governance, financial sustainability, player health protection and improvements to the fan experience, including free and globally accessible viewing options used in events such as the FIFA Club World Cup.”
“As a result, the club announces that it will continue to work in the interests of world football and its fans, and demands compensation from UEFA for the significant damage suffered,” Madrid added.
UEFA issued its own statement following the latest developments. “UEFA takes note of today’s decision by the Court of Appeal of Madrid regarding the so-called ‘Super League’,” it begins.
“This judgment does not justify the abandonment of the Super League project announced in 2021 and does not undermine UEFA’s current recognition regulations, adopted in 2022 and updated in 2024, which are still in full force. These regulations ensure that cross-border competitions are evaluated on an objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and proportionate basis.”
“This development comes after the European Parliament adopted a landmark resolution this month reiterating its opposition to ‘withdrawal competitions’ as they ‘put the entire sporting ecosystem at risk’. UEFA will carefully consider the judgment before deciding on any further action and will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
“In the meantime, UEFA remains firmly committed to a European sporting model built on the merits of sport, open access, solidarity and the protection of the football pyramid. We will continue to work with associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans and public authorities to safeguard the unity of European football.”
This latest development comes after Super League organizer A22 Sports shared new proposals for the expansion of the competition in 2023. The tournament will feature 64 teams spread across three tiers, with promotion and relegation and “no permanent members.”
The idea has been criticized by some experts and former experts, with former Manchester United captain Gary Neville being the most vocal opponent. “This is an absolute disgrace and we have to take back power in this country from the top clubs in this league, and that includes my club,” he said as part of a lengthy 2021 rant.
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