In a significant legal development, Real Madrid has announced its intention to seek compensation from UEFA after a Spanish court dismissed appeals filed by the European soccer governing body. The court upheld a previous ruling that found UEFA in breach of EU competition law for blocking plans for the breakaway Super League. The Madrid-based court also dismissed appeals from the Spanish league and the national soccer federation, reinforcing the 2023 decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which declared that UEFA and FIFA had abused their market dominance and violated EU law. Real Madrid expressed its satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it confirmed UEFA’s infringement of EU competition rules and its abuse of a dominant position. The club emphasized its commitment to global football and fans while pursuing substantial damages from UEFA. The Spanish league, however, downplayed the ruling’s significance, noting that it did not endorse any specific competition format or the original 2021 Super League project, which had been modified since its initial announcement. The league clarified that the court’s decision focused on procedural aspects, emphasizing the need for transparent and objective authorization systems. Real Madrid did not specify the amount of damages it would seek but highlighted its ongoing discussions with UEFA to address governance, financial sustainability, player health, and fan experience issues. The Super League project, launched in 2021, faced widespread fan protests and quickly collapsed, but the legal battle continues to shape the future of European football governance.
Real Madrid to seek compensation from UEFA after court ruling against European body on Super League
