The long-running saga of the European Super League has finally been brought to a close after Real Madrid and UEFA reached an agreement to settle their dispute.
Real and their president, Florentino Perez were among the leading architects of the breakaway project, which also featured the Premier League’s ‘big six’ when it was unveiled in April 2021.
The English clubs withdrew within days amid fan backlash and government pressure. However, Real remained committed to the concept and became embroiled in legal action against UEFA over attempts to block the competition’s creation, seeking billions of euros in damages.
After FC Barcelona confirmed their withdrawal over the weekend, Real have now announced they have agreed to a peace deal.
The Press Association understands the breakthrough follows talks between Perez and Nasser Al Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of the European Football Clubs group.
In a statement, Real said, “Following months of discussions held for the benefit of European football, UEFA, European Football Clubs and Real Madrid CF announce that they have reached an agreement in principle for the good of European club football, respecting the principle of sporting merit and emphasising the long-term sustainability of clubs and improving the fan experience through the use of technology.
“This agreement in principle will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European Super League, once a final agreement is implemented.”
Al Khelaifi, speaking at the end of a UEFA executive committee meeting in Brussels on 11 February, said: “Everybody honestly has done a fantastic job in good faith and football will win after this.”
The precise terms of the agreement have not been disclosed. Perez and Super League promoters A22 have consistently argued that clubs should have greater influence over the governance of European competitions and over how revenues are distributed.
In practice, clubs already exert significant control over these competitions through the UC3 commercial joint venture with UEFA.
In England, supporters’ groups have welcomed confirmation that the Super League project has effectively been abandoned.
Tom Greatrex, chair of the Football Supporters’ Association (FCA), told PA: “Florentino Perez’s European Zombie League has shambled along dead on its feet for years while Real Madrid and Barcelona tried to pretend it had any future.
“It’s taken Perez almost five years to understand what fans instinctively knew – the European Super League would be widely despised, and it was never going to work.
“Let’s not forget that six English clubs originally backed the competition as well. Football’s top executives must never again try to stitch up things in secret – supporters have to be heard on the big issues.”
No comments:
Post a Comment