Real Madrid UEFA Super League damages claim
Real Madrid has announced its intention to claim very large damages from UEFA after a Spanish court ruled in the club’s favour in a long-running legal dispute over the proposed European Super League. The dispute began when twelve major European clubs including Real Madrid announced the breakaway competition in 2021. The competition collapsed within days amid widespread opposition, pressure from domestic leagues and threats from football’s governing bodies. A ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in December 2023 found that UEFA and FIFA had breached EU competition law by blocking the Super League. The recent decision by the Madrid Provincial Court dismissed appeals from UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga, confirming that UEFA had abused its dominant position in the market. This opens the door for Real Madrid to seek compensation for losses it claims to have suffered.
According to sources, Real Madrid and the competition’s promoter (A22 Sports Management) are preparing a claim against UEFA that could amount to nearly €4.5 billion. The clubs allege they incurred economic harm, lost commercial opportunities and reputational damage as a result of UEFA’s conduct. The legal basis rests on the finding that UEFA’s rules on authorising new competitions lacked objective, transparent and non-discriminatory criteria and thus violated Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
UEFA responded by saying that the recent court decision does not validate the original 2021 Super League project and that its current authorisation rules, adopted in 2022 and updated in 2024, remain fully in force. The governing body said it would review the judgment carefully before taking any further steps. Real Madrid, meanwhile, noted that talks held in 2025 to discuss reforms in governance, financial sustainability, player health and fan experience failed to yield agreement, and so the club now says it will pursue “substantial damages” through the courts.
Although the exact figure Real Madrid will seek has not been formally disclosed, media reports indicate a claim approaching €4.5 billion (or roughly $4.7 billion), making this one of the most significant legal battles in European football’s history. Because the appeals process is not yet fully exhausted—UEFA may still appeal to Spain’s Supreme Court the timeline for any settlement or court award remains uncertain. What is now clear is that the verdict has marked a key turning point in how football’s club competition governance may be challenged in legal terms.
This case has broader implications for European football governance. It could influence how UEFA handles authorisation of rival competitions, how revenues and rights are managed among clubs, and whether elite clubs can hold football bodies accountable under competition law.
