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End in sight for Super League legal battle

A legal dispute between European football’s governing body UEFA and the remaining club pursuing a European Super League project appears to have been settled.

UEFA announced today (11 February) that it, European Football Clubs (EFC), and Real Madrid had “reached an agreement of principles for the well-being of European club football”.

“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,” the statement added.

EFC represents football clubs across Europe.

Challenge

The Super League project emerged in 2021 with the backing of 12 big clubs, most of which withdrew after fierce opposition from supporters’ groups and politicians.

Real Madrid had been the only remaining backer of the project after La Liga rivals Barcelona pulled out last week.

After UEFA had threatened sanctions against the clubs involved, the Super League backers had taken a challenge against the body at the Commercial Court in Madrid.

Damages

It referred the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union, which ruled in late 2023 that UEFA’s previous rules, requiring any new club competition to be approved by it, were unlawful.

The Spanish court later backed the EU court’s ruling, leading Real Madrid to announce last year that it was seeking “substantial damages” from UEFA.

UEFA’s statement today provides little detail on the agreement, adding only that it will respect “the principle of sporting merit, with emphasis on long-term club sustainability and the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology”.