Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Real Madrid say they will seek "substantial damages" from UEFA after a Madrid court dismissed appeals by UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga in relation to the European Super League. In December 2023, the Court of Justice for the European Union (CJEU) said UEFA's rules that blocked the European Super League were contrary to EU law. UEFA subsequently amended its rules, believing them to comply with EU law, but the Audiencia Provincial appeals court said on Wednesday UEFA "seriously infringed the European Union’s free competition rules in line with the CJEU ruling by abusing its dominant position." Perez Remains Eager to Get Initial Plans Off Ground Real Madrid believe the ruling "opens the way to claim the substantial damages suffered by the club" and are still in favour of the Super League project getting off the ground with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez one of the fiercest supporters of the project. The original 12 European Super League members from April 2021, including England's big six, were promised a joining bonus of at least €200m along with prize money and broadcast revenue as well as a share of the new tournament. GMS understands that Real Madrid stood to earn more initially than the English clubs. A prize pool of around €3.5bn was in place covering entry funding and prize money, but it was not due to be split equally between entrants. The European Super League has since relaunched as the Unify League in a four-tier format with 96 proposed teams. The so-called 'Star' and 'Gold' Leagues would feature 16 clubs, grouped into two pools of eight. And the 'Blue' and 'Union' Leagues would have 32 teams, grouped into four pools of eight. During the league phase of the competition, clubs play seven at home and seven away fixtures from within their groups. Clubs that finish within the top four of their respective groups in Star and Gold would qualify for the quarter-finals, while in Blue and Union, the top two in each group qualify for the final eight. A22, promoters of the European Super League, want to ideally work with UEFA, to finally launch the project, but have been given little encouragement to date. As a result, A22 now say, like Real Madrid, they will also seek compensation from UEFA. "[We are] dedicated to advancing the interests of European club football through innovation and cooperation and trust that Wednesday's ruling will push UEFA in the same direction," said an A22 statement to GMS. "UEFA is clearly legally obliged to recognise A22’s right to organise competitions on an equal footing with their own. However, since UEFA continues to ignore binding court rulings, A22 has no other choice than to commence proceedings to be compensated for damages suffered." A22's chief executive Bernd Reichart added: "After years of legal proceedings, UEFA can no longer ignore binding court decisions. By abusing their monopoly and preventing new initiatives they have caused substantial damages to numerous clubs, players and other stakeholders across Europe." UEFA Release Statement Following Court Ruling UEFA, headed by president Aleksander Ceferin, are now exploring their legal options and could appeal again against the latest Madrid court ruling. Europe's governing body deny the judgement endorses the European Super League. "UEFA takes note of today’s judgement by the Madrid Court of Appeal concerning the so-called 'Super League'," their statement read. "This ruling does not validate the abandoned 'Super League' project announced in 2021, nor does it undermine UEFA’s current authorisation rules, adopted in 2022 and updated in 2024, which remain fully in force. "These rules ensure that any cross-border competitions are assessed on objective, transparent, non-discriminatory and proportionate criteria. "This development comes after the European Parliament this month adopted a landmark resolution explicitly reiterating its opposition to 'breakaway competitions' as they 'endanger the overall sport ecosystem'. "UEFA will carefully review the judgment before deciding on any further steps, and will not be commenting further at this stage. "In the meantime, UEFA remains firmly committed to the European sports model, built on sporting merit, open access, solidarity and the protection of the football pyramid. "It will continue working with associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, and public authorities to safeguard the unity of European football."
