Here is why Real Madrid is suing UEFA for 4.5 billion euros

Real Madrid Set to Sue UEFA for €4.5 Billion Over Super League Dispute

In a stunning twist to one of football’s longest-running legal battles, Real Madrid is reportedly preparing to sue Europe’s football governing body, UEFA, for an estimated €4.5 billion. The lawsuit, led alongside A22 Sports Management the company behind the controversial European Super League marks a major escalation in the feud that has reshaped the politics of European football.

According to reports from AS, the lawsuit accuses UEFA of abusing its dominant position and unfairly restricting competition within European football. The claim seeks massive compensation for lost revenue, reputational harm, and competitive disadvantage allegedly caused by UEFA’s monopoly over continental club competitions.

A Legal Feud Years in the Making

The move comes after years of failed negotiations and heated court battles between UEFA and proponents of the Super League project. Lawyers representing both Real Madrid and A22 are said to be finalizing the legal documents, following multiple rounds of unproductive discussions that failed to produce a resolution.

A recent Madrid court ruling provided the breakthrough Madrid president Florentino Pérez had long awaited. The court dismissed UEFA’s appeals and concluded that the organization had “seriously violated EU free competition laws.” For Pérez, this ruling establishes the legal foundation to demand restitution for what the club views as years of UEFA’s obstruction.

The Turning Point: EU Antitrust Ruling

The roots of this conflict trace back to December 2023, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that UEFA’s requirement for prior authorization of new competitions breached EU antitrust laws. This landmark judgment effectively declared that UEFA could not act as both regulator and competitor within the same market.

The decision was later reinforced by Spain’s Audiencia Provincial, which further ruled that UEFA had indeed exploited its dominant market position to suppress the Super League initiative.

What’s Next for European Football?

If Real Madrid and A22 succeed, the case could result in the most financially significant lawsuit in football history, potentially reshaping how continental competitions are governed.

For now, the stage is set for another seismic chapter in the ongoing power struggle between Europe’s elite clubs and its governing body a clash that could redefine the future of football itself.