Don’t expect today’s court decision to lead to the revival of the European Super League project.
Real Madrid (and Barcelona, just about) are the only kids left on the block from the original 12 who were ready to break away from the Champions League. English clubs wouldn’t entertain rejoining after the backlash from supporters effectively led to its collapse, while German teams and Paris Saint-Germain shunned it from the start.
For that reason, Madrid have been fighting what has always been, at its heart, a losing battle – whatever the La Liga club might say. They have continued to go through the courts to, as Madrid put it, ‘work for the good of global football and fans’. Or, as it seems, for a chunk of compensation.
The reaction from both parties has remained pretty much the same as in May 2024, when the original ruling was made, leading to today’s appeal. Madrid will believe they have a case that the European Super League should have been allowed to go ahead, while Uefa argue that it offers no such endorsement.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Uefa has lost a number of court battles which have ruled the old regulations were unlawful, including at the European Court of Justice. Today’s decision rubberstamps that once again, but doesn’t change the fact the European Super League is dead in the water, and was always likely to be.
Uefa insist that its regulations have been revamped twice in recent years, so any ruling based upon a decision made in 2021 isn’t relevant today.
It’s unclear how much money Madrid could claim in damages, though another appeal by Uefa, the Spanish FA and La Liga seems likely.
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