UEFA and Real Madrid have agreed to end their long-running legal standoff linked to the controversial European Super League, marking a significant de-escalation in one of modern football’s most heated governance battles.
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In a joint statement issued with European Football Clubs (EFC), the two sides confirmed they had reached an “agreement of principles” focused on protecting sporting merit and promoting the long-term well-being of European club football.
According to the statement, the framework will also pave the way to formally resolve all legal disputes tied to the Super League once the agreed principles are fully implemented.
The feud dates back to 2021, when Real Madrid was among 12 elite clubs that launched the breakaway European Super League — a project that quickly collapsed after fierce backlash from fans, governments, and football authorities. While most clubs withdrew within days, Real Madrid and Barcelona initially remained supporters of an alternative competition structure.
Last week, Barcelona officially exited the revived proposal — later branded the “Unify League” — leaving Real Madrid as its sole prominent advocate. That revised concept, featuring a multi-tier format with 96 clubs, also struggled to attract meaningful support from major domestic leagues such as LaLiga and the Premier League.
Real Madrid had previously pursued compensation claims after arguing Spanish courts sided against UEFA’s position in related appeals. The new accord effectively cools those tensions and signals a willingness from both parties to move forward under UEFA’s existing competitive framework.
The settlement is widely seen as a stabilizing moment for European football governance, reinforcing UEFA’s model while closing a chapter that exposed deep divisions over the sport’s commercial future.
