Real Madrid announced on Wednesday a pivotal step in the history of modern European football, having reached a formal agreement with UEFA and the European Club Association to end all legal disputes related to the controversial "European Super League" project.
Details of the agreement and the return to the European path
In an official statement, Real Madrid confirmed the end of years of disputes, saying: “Real Madrid has reached an agreement with UEFA and the European Club Association for the benefit of European club football.” The statement explained that after months of constructive talks, a preliminary agreement was reached that serves the common good, while emphasizing respect for the “principle of sporting merit,” the core point of contention in the previous proposal.
The new agreement focuses on the long-term financial sustainability of clubs and improving the fan experience through the use of technology, indicating the integration of some development ideas within UEFA's existing system rather than breaking away from it.
Roots of the crisis: The April 2021 earthquake
The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the night of April 19, 2021, when 12 of Europe's top clubs (including six from England, three from Spain, and three from Italy) announced the creation of a closed tournament called the "European Super League," headed by Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid. The stated aim was to rescue football from its financial woes, but the project was met with a storm of public and political opposition, particularly in England. This led to the withdrawal of the six English clubs (Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham) just 48 hours later, followed by Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, and AC Milan.
Legal battles and billions lost
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus remained committed to the project for a long time, waging fierce legal battles that reached the European Court of Justice. Real Madrid had filed a massive lawsuit against UEFA, demanding compensation exceeding €4.5 billion, based on competition and antitrust laws. Despite an earlier court ruling that FIFA and UEFA's rules regarding prior approval for tournaments violated European Union law, political and public support continued for the traditional open model.
The end of the separatist dream and its future impact
This agreement comes just a week after Barcelona announced its withdrawal from the project, leaving Real Madrid alone in the race. This settlement solidifies the current system of European competitions, especially with UEFA's launch this season of the new and improved Champions League format (the Swiss League system), which was essentially a direct response to the Super League's threat, ensuring increased financial returns for major clubs and satisfying their ambitions within the framework of the continental federation.
