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Real Madrid plan to pursue “substantial damages” from UEFA after a Spanish court upheld a ruling that found European football’s governing body guilty of anti-competitive behaviour in its handling of the failed European Super League.
The Provincial Court of Madrid on Wednesday dismissed appeals filed by UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga against a previous judgment from May 2024, which concluded that the organisations had abused their dominant position by preventing clubs from joining the breakaway competition.
UEFA responded by insisting that the decision “does not validate” the Super League project “nor does it undermine UEFA's current authorisation rules”.
Real Madrid were among the 12 founding clubs, including six from the English Premier League, that announced plans for the Super League in 2021. The project collapsed within 72 hours following intense public and political backlash.
The latest ruling follows a landmark decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in December 2023, which determined that UEFA and FIFA had breached EU competition law by blocking the creation of the Super League. That verdict prompted UEFA to revise its authorisation framework.
“Real Madrid welcomes the decision by the regional court of Madrid to dismiss the appeals lodged by UEFA, the RFEF and La Liga, confirming that UEFA, in the matter of the Super League, seriously infringed European Union competition rules in line with the CJEU ruling, abusing its dominant position,” the club said in a statement. “This ruling paves the way for the club to claim substantial damages from UEFA.”
UEFA, however, maintained that its current system remains lawful, saying: “UEFA will carefully review the judgment before deciding on any further steps, and will not be commenting further at this stage.”
The governing body added that it would continue to “safeguard the unity of European football” and remains “firmly committed to the European sports model, built on sporting merit, open access, solidarity and the protection of the football pyramid”.
La Liga said it respected the court’s decision but reiterated its “firm commitment” to maintaining the “integrity and stability of national competitions” and compliance with EU competition law.
President Javier Tebas added: “This ruling does not in any way represent an endorsement of the Super League or any other format. It merely reiterates that regulations must be applied with transparency and objectivity.”
Real Madrid’s latest legal success has emboldened the club and A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League, to prepare a lawsuit against UEFA reportedly worth €4.5 billion, according to Spanish outlet AS. The claim is expected to cover lost profits, reputational damage and competitive harm allegedly caused by UEFA’s actions.
The dispute dates back to April 2021, when 12 elite clubs from Spain, Italy and England announced the Super League as an alternative to the UEFA Champions League. Widespread protests and condemnation forced most participants, including England’s “Big Six,” to withdraw within days.
Since then, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has remained one of the project’s few vocal defenders, accusing UEFA of running a “monopoly that kills innovation and fair competition.”
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