Real Madrid say they will claim “substantial damages” from Uefa after the governing body lost a court appeal related to the failed Super League project of 2021. The scheme’s promoter, A22, will also seek compensation after saying talks between the parties had resulted in deadlock.
The regional court of Madrid dismissed 21 claims raised by Uefa, La Liga and the Spanish football federation, upholding a decision handed down by the city’s commercial court in May 2024. Back then Uefa and Fifa were judged to have practised anticompetitive behaviour and abused a dominant position by blocking the breakaway league’s formation. It followed a ruling in December 2023 by the European court of justice (CJEU), which said Uefa’s previous regulations on allowing the creation of new club competition had violated EU law.
Real were one of the 12 clubs who attempted to break away in 2021, but seemingly stand alone as the only publicly known proponent of a scheme that could theoretically rival or replace the Champions League. In a bullish statement they ramped up a long-running feud by announcing plans for what could be a multimillion-pound lawsuit.
“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 EU competition rules in line with the CJEU ruling, abusing its dominant position,” the statement read. “This ruling paves the way for the club to claim substantial damages.”
Elsewhere in the statement, Real lamented that talks with Uefa to “find solutions” on various issues regarding governance, financial sustainability, player welfare and fan experience had drawn a blank. A statement from A22 said “extensive discussions” with senior Uefa officials this year to “achieve necessary reforms by modifying, rather than replacing, existing competitions” had failed to bring any compromise.
A22 announced it would also seek redress. “Since Uefa continues to ignore binding court rulings, A22 has no other choice than to commence proceedings to be compensated for damages suffered,” it said.
A response from Uefa said: “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.
“Uefa will carefully review the judgment before deciding on any further steps, and will not be commenting further at this stage.”
Further legal avenues available to Uefa could include a new appeal lodged at the Spanish supreme court. It is understood that, should Uefa opt to prolong the process, Real and A22 would not be able to claim for damages until its resolution. Last December A22 proposed a rebranded “Unify League” with the intention of testing Uefa’s updated authorisation rules. Little material progress is thought to have been made since.
This month Joan Laporta, the Barcelona president, was a high-profile guest at the European Football Clubs (formerly European Club Association) general assembly in Rome, signalling their likely return to a body from which they withdrew in 2021. Barcelona had previously stood alongside Real as backers of the Super League but Laporta expressed a desire to “build bridges” and align more closely with Uefa and EFC.
Vinícius apologises for reaction to substitution
The Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior has issued a public apology after he reacted angrily to being substituted during Sunday’s 2-1 clásico victory over Barcelona.
Vinícius made his displeasure known to the manager, Xabi Alonso, before going straight to the dressing room. The Brazilian revealed he had personally apologised to his teammates and to the club president, Florentino Pérez, but any mention of Alonso was notably absent from his statement.
“Today I want to apologise to all Real Madrid fans for my reaction when I was substituted in El Clásico,” Vinícius said via his social media accounts. “As I have already done in person during today’s training session, I also want to apologise again to my teammates, the club and the president.”
The 25-year-old attributed his outburst to his competitive drive, explaining: “Sometimes my passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive nature stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents.”
Vinícius is thought to have had a difficult relationship with Alonso since the Spaniard took over in May. Alonso has substituted him several times this season, with Vinícius playing all 90 minutes in just three out of 13 matches in La Liga and the Champions League. Reuters
