(DDM) — Football giants Real Madrid and the promoters of the European Super League (ESL) have reportedly filed a $4 billion lawsuit against UEFA, accusing the governing body of abusing its dominant position and unlawfully sabotaging the breakaway competition.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered from AFP sources that the lawsuit marks the latest chapter in the long-running legal battle between the Super League organizers and European football’s governing institution, following the failed launch of the controversial project in April 2021.
According to the confidential report, Real Madrid, one of the few clubs that never withdrew from the Super League project, is leading the claim alongside other stakeholders who argue that UEFA acted as both regulator and competitor, violating European Union competition laws.
The plaintiffs claim that UEFA’s “coercive actions”, including threats of bans, sanctions, and public pressure, caused massive financial losses and irreparable reputational damage to the clubs and investors who backed the Super League concept.
They are seeking over $4 billion in compensation for what they describe as UEFA’s “abuse of monopoly power” in controlling access to European football competitions.
DDM learned that the case follows the December 2023 ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), which found that UEFA and FIFA had acted unlawfully by blocking the Super League, ruling that football governing bodies cannot prevent the creation of rival tournaments under EU competition law.
Despite that ruling, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin maintained that the Super League concept remains “dead in the eyes of fans,” arguing that European football’s unity and merit-based system must be protected.
However, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez, one of the main architects of the Super League, insists that the project is “not dead but evolving”, and that legal action is necessary to hold UEFA accountable for its alleged anti-competitive conduct.
Sources told DDM that the lawsuit is being pursued through Madrid’s Commercial Court, where Super League company A22 Sports Management is also filing related claims against UEFA and FIFA for damages.
Analysts believe the outcome of this case could reshape the governance structure of European football, potentially reducing UEFA’s control over continental competitions and opening the door to alternative club-run leagues.
The Super League’s initial launch in 2021, featuring top clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Manchester United, and Liverpool, collapsed within 48 hours after widespread fan protests, government intervention, and UEFA threats to ban participating teams from domestic and international tournaments.
While most English clubs and others quickly withdrew, Real Madrid and Barcelona remained firm in their commitment to the concept, insisting that football’s financial model is unsustainable under UEFA’s control.
Legal observers told DDM that if the plaintiffs succeed, UEFA could face not only massive financial penalties but also regulatory reforms requiring it to share more power with clubs in future European competitions.
For now, UEFA has not officially commented on the latest claim, but insiders suggest it plans a vigorous legal defense, asserting that its actions were justified to protect the integrity and competitive balance of European football.
The billion-dollar dispute underscores an escalating power struggle between football’s traditional governing bodies and elite clubs, as both sides vie for control of the sport’s future revenue streams.
