How the European Super League legal fight unfolded
Twelve clubs announced a breakaway European Super League in April 2021, and the project collapsed within days after the six English clubs withdrew. The company behind it sued FIFA and UEFA in Madrid, and the Court of Justice of the EU ruled in December 2023 that their prior approval rules breached EU competition law. Madrid courts later found UEFA had abused a dominant position, and in February 2026 UEFA, the European Football Clubs body and Real Madrid announced an agreement intended to resolve their legal disputes.
21 January 2021 to today · 22 dated events · 21 sources
Where it stands now · as of 1 November 2026
UEFA, the European Football Clubs body and Real Madrid said on 11 February 2026 that their agreement of principles would resolve their Super League legal disputes once executed and implemented, after Barcelona formally withdrew from the project. Whether the damages claim reported in October 2025 has been formally withdrawn, and what A22 Sports Management now intends, was not confirmed in sources reviewed.
Overview · 21 Jan 2021 to 16 Oct 2026 · click a dot to jump
2021
21 Jan 2021
Statement
FIFA and confederations say a breakaway league would not be recognised
FIFA and the six continental confederations, including UEFA, stated that such a competition would not be recognised and that clubs or players taking part would be barred from their competitions, the CJEU judgment records.
“would as a consequence not be allowed to participate in any competition organised by FIFA or their respective confederation”FIFA and the six confederations, as recorded in the CJEU judgment, Court of Justice of the European Union (EUR-Lex)
Six English clubs, plus Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan, announced a 20 team midweek league with 15 founder members and five annual qualifiers, Reuters reported. Florentino Perez was named founding chairman and Andrea Agnelli vice-chairman, and the founding clubs would receive 3.5 billion euros.
“We will help football at every level and take it to its rightful place in the world.”Florentino Perez, Super League chairman, Reuters (via Yahoo Finance)
A UEFA press release issued with the English, Spanish and Italian associations and certain leagues said the clubs concerned would be banned from other competitions, the CJEU judgment records.
“the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level”UEFA press release, as recorded in the CJEU judgment, Court of Justice of the European Union (EUR-Lex)
On 19 and 20 April 2021 the Madrid commercial court ordered protective measures, without hearing the other side, aimed at stopping FIFA, UEFA and their member associations from thwarting the project through sanctions or threats of sanctions, according to the CJEU judgment.
The six English clubs withdrew through the evening amid fan protests and warnings from the British government, the Associated Press reported. The Super League said it would reconsider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project.
“it is admirable to admit a mistake and these clubs made a big mistake”Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, Associated Press (via CBS News)
Nine clubs sign UEFA declaration, three face proceedings
Nine clubs signed a Club Commitment Declaration with UEFA, agreeing to end their involvement, donate 15 million euros to grassroots football and have 5 percent of one season's UEFA competition revenue withheld, Al Jazeera reported. UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“The same cannot be said for the clubs that remain involved.”Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA president, Al Jazeera (news agencies)
Madrid court refers questions to the Court of Justice
The Madrid commercial court, hearing the European Superleague Company's action against FIFA and UEFA, made an order for a preliminary reference to the CJEU, which was lodged on 27 May 2021 as Case C-333/21, according to the judgment. A22 Sports Management, the Spanish federation and LaLiga intervened.
UEFA's Appeals Body declared the proceedings against the three clubs void to comply with a Madrid court ruling, after a judge had renewed the demand the previous week, Al Jazeera reported. UEFA also said it would not seek the money the nine other clubs had agreed to pay.
“null and void, as if the proceedings had never been opened”UEFA Appeals Body, Al Jazeera (news agencies)
Advocate General backs FIFA and UEFA approval rules
Advocate General Athanasios Rantos advised the CJEU that the prior approval rules were compatible with EU competition law because their restrictive effects were inherent in and proportionate to legitimate sporting objectives. The opinion was not binding on the Court.
“the FIFA-UEFA rules under which any new competition is subject to prior approval are compatible with EU competition law”Advocate General Rantos, press release 205/22, Court of Justice of the European Union
Juventus withdrew from the Super League project midway through 2023, leaving Real Madrid and Barcelona as its last public backers, the Associated Press reported.
Court of Justice rules the approval rules breach EU law
The Grand Chamber held that FIFA and UEFA rules requiring prior approval of new club competitions, and barring clubs and players from unapproved ones, were not subject to transparent, objective, non-discriminatory and proportionate criteria and so were an abuse of a dominant position. It also found their control of media rights restrictive of competition, leaving possible justification to the Madrid court.
“That does not mean that a competition such as the Super League project must necessarily be approved.”Court of Justice press release 203/23, Court of Justice of the European Union
A22 proposed a midweek competition of 64 men's and 32 women's teams in leagues with promotion and relegation, with clubs staying in their domestic leagues and matches free to watch on a streaming platform, Reuters reported.
“This is a unique opportunity to rethink how football is presented to the fans.”Bernd Reichart, A22 chief executive, Reuters (via Yahoo)
Madrid judge finds FIFA and UEFA abused a dominant position
Judge Sofia Gil Garcia of the Madrid commercial court ordered FIFA and UEFA to halt their opposition to the Super League, finding they had engaged in anticompetitive conduct and abused a dominant position, Reuters and Dawn reported. LaLiga president Javier Tebas said the judgment was not final. Dawn noted the scope was uncertain because the rules had since been rewritten.
“unjustified and disproportionate restrictions”Madrid commercial court, as reported by Dawn, Dawn (agencies)
A22 submitted proposals to UEFA and FIFA seeking recognition for a midweek Unify League of 96 men's teams in four leagues and 32 women's teams, qualified through domestic league performance and streamed free, the Associated Press reported on 18 December 2024. AP said there was no official response from UEFA or FIFA and LaLiga called it a threat.
Madrid Provincial Court dismisses UEFA, RFEF and LaLiga appeals
Real Madrid announced on 29 October 2025 that the Madrid Provincial Court had dismissed appeals by UEFA, the Spanish federation and LaLiga against the ruling that UEFA breached EU competition law, as RTE and the Associated Press reported. IUSPORT, a Spanish sports law publication, identified the ruling as judgment 269/2025 of Section 32, dated 29 October 2025. Real Madrid said it opened the way to claim damages.
“This judgment paves the way for substantial claims to compensate for the damages suffered by the club.”Real Madrid statement, Real Madrid CF
UEFA said the appeal ruling did not validate the 2021 project, that its 2022 authorisation rules, updated in 2024, remain fully in force, and that it would review the judgment. LaLiga said the decision focused only on procedural aspects, according to AP.
“does not validate the abandoned 'super league' project announced in 2021”UEFA, RTE
Damages of more than 4 billion dollars reported to be sought
Real Madrid and the Super League promoters were seeking more than $4 billion in damages from UEFA, AFP reported, citing an unnamed source.
$4 billion damages sought, according to an unnamed source cited by AFP (more than this figure)AFP (via Eyewitness News)
2026
7 Feb 2026
Corporate
Barcelona formally withdraws
Barcelona said it had formally notified the European Superleague Company and the other clubs of its withdrawal, leaving Real Madrid as the last club backing the project, the Associated Press reported.
“formally notified the European Super League Company and the clubs involved of its withdrawal”FC Barcelona statement, Associated Press (via WTOP)
UEFA and Real Madrid announce an agreement of principles
UEFA, the European Football Clubs body (EFC) and Real Madrid announced an agreement of principles for the good of European club football, which they said would also resolve their Super League legal disputes once the principles were executed and implemented, Reuters and AFP reported. Terms, including any effect on the damages claim, were not disclosed in the reports.
“This agreement of principles will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European Super League”UEFA and Real Madrid joint statement, Reuters (via The Star)
Sportcal and Inside World Football reported that Bernd Reichart, who led A22 from July 2022, had left the company and been appointed Real Madrid's business director. Both described the appointment as reported, and neither cited confirmation from the club.
Last updated 1 November 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.
