Here is why Real Madrid will be suing Europe’s football governing body, UEFA for an estimated fee of 4.5 billion euros.
After years of legal disputes and unsuccessful talks, Real Madrid and A22 Sports Management, the organizers behind the controversial European Super League, are reportedly preparing to file a €4.5 billion lawsuit (suing) against UEFA. The case, grounded in the European Union’s landmark antitrust ruling, accuses UEFA of abusing its dominant position and unfairly restricting competition within European football.
The proposed legal action signals a dramatic escalation in the long-running feud over the failed Super League project. According to AS, the claim seeks compensation for lost revenue, reputational damage, and competitive disadvantage allegedly caused by UEFA’s monopoly over continental club competitions. Lawyers representing both Madrid and A22 are said to be finalizing the documents, following months of unproductive negotiations and multiple meetings that failed to yield common ground.
This latest development follows a Madrid court decision that sided with Real Madrid and A22, dismissing UEFA’s appeals and concluding that the governing body had “seriously violated EU free competition laws.” For club president Florentino Pérez, the ruling represents the breakthrough he has long sought, providing the legal foundation to demand restitution for what the club considers years of obstruction by UEFA.
The conflict stems from a December 2023 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which determined that UEFA’s requirement for prior authorization of new competitions breached EU antitrust laws.
The Spanish Audiencia Provincial later reinforced that judgment, ruling that UEFA had indeed exploited its dominant market position to suppress the Super League. This verdict not only vindicated Madrid’s long-standing claims but also set the stage for what could become the most financially significant lawsuit in football history.
