UEFA and Real Madrid announced on Wednesday that they have reached an “agreement of principles” to settle their long-standing legal feud. The deal marks the total collapse of the European Super League project, leaving Real Madrid; the final holdout, to rejoin the established order of European football.
The joint statement between UEFA, Real Madrid, and the European Football Clubs group outlines a future built on "sporting merit" rather than the closed-shop model originally proposed in 2021.
Legal resolution: The agreement effectively withdraws the "substantial damages" claim Real Madrid filed against UEFA. In return, UEFA will cease its disciplinary threats against the club.
Sporting merit: Both parties reaffirmed that qualification for European competitions must be earned through domestic league performance.
"Technology" clause: Intriguingly, the deal mentions an emphasis on "the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology." This is seen as a nod to the digital innovations (such as free streaming) previously championed by the ESL’s promotional wing, A22.
Real Madrid is now expected to rejoin the European Football Clubs, the influential body representing over 800 teams. This marks a significant pivot for a club that has spent five years at war with the very system it helped build.
Everybody has honestly done a fantastic job in good faith, and football will win after this.
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, EFC Chairman and PSG President
With the legal threat removed, UEFA is moving ahead with its revamped Champions League format, which has already seen a 20% increase in broadcast value for the 2027-2031 cycle. Real Madrid and Barcelona, despite their rebellion, have continued to earn over €100 million annually from the competition, proving that the financial rewards of the "old" system were too lucrative to leave behind.
The "reset" of European football politics sees the clubs gaining more power via UC3, a joint commercial venture with UEFA that will oversee the continent's competitions moving forward.
