NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Real Madrid and the promoters of the controversial European Super League have launched a $4 billion lawsuit against UEFA, accusing the governing body of illegally sabotaging the breakaway competition.
The lawsuit follows a Spanish court ruling on Wednesday that dismissed UEFA’s appeal in the long-running dispute over the Super League.
Originally announced in April 2021 by 12 of Europe’s biggest football clubs; including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and several English Premier League sides, the Super League collapsed within days due to intense backlash from fans, governments, and football bodies.
UEFA and FIFA threatened sanctions against clubs and players involved, leading most English clubs to withdraw under public pressure.
However, in December 2023, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that UEFA’s ban on the Super League violated EU competition laws, stating that the organization had abused its dominant position in European football governance.
A Spanish judge later reinforced the verdict, finding both UEFA and FIFA guilty of anti-competitive practices by blocking the new competition.
The Madrid court’s latest decision rejected appeals from UEFA, La Liga, and the Spanish Football Federation, effectively paving the way for the Super League’s promoters to seek financial compensation.
A22 Sports Management, the company backing the project, said UEFA’s refusal to engage in reforms or compromises left it “no choice but to seek damages.”
“After years of legal proceedings, UEFA can no longer ignore binding court decisions,” said A22 CEO Bernd Reichart.
“By abusing their monopoly and blocking innovation, UEFA caused significant losses to clubs, players, and other stakeholders across Europe.”
In a statement to AFP, UEFA downplayed the implications of the ruling, insisting it did not revive the abandoned 2021 project or invalidate its current authorization framework for new competitions, which was revised in 2022 and updated in 2024.
“This ruling does not validate the abandoned Super League project, nor does it undermine UEFA’s current rules,” the body stated. “Our updated framework ensures transparency, fairness, and proportionality in assessing cross-border competitions.”
Meanwhile, Real Madrid welcomed the decision, describing it as a “victory for free competition” within European football.
“The ruling confirms that UEFA seriously violated the European Union’s competition rules by abusing its dominant position,” the club said. “We will continue to work for the good of global football and its fans while pursuing rightful compensation from UEFA.”
The lawsuit marks another dramatic chapter in the ongoing power struggle over the future of European football’s governance and structure.
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