European Super League saga over as Real Madrid reach UEFA agreement 'for the good of club football', ending 'legal disputes'

The European Super League project appears to finally be over, as Real Madrid have ended their 'legal disputes' by reaching a new agreement with UEFA. The saga has been resolved 'for the good of European club football', the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners have said. 12 clubs initially declared their involvement in a European Super League, including six Premier League sides

Real Madrid have effectively confirmed the end of the European Super League saga, after reaching an agreement with UEFA 'for the good of European club football'.

The European Super League was initially announced on April 18 with the proposals suggesting that it would be made up of 20 teams.

Fifteen of the clubs involved would be considered permanent members of the league, with five other sides having to qualify.

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Crucially, the European Super League would been a closed shop due to the lack of any relegation system.

However, the the scheme was quickly abandoned after clubs, fans, players and pundits united against it.

Madrid’s bitter rivals Barcelona announced their withdrawal from the proposed league last week, leaving Los Blancos as the last club standing from the 12 that were initially involved.

The Spanish giants insist that their agreement with UEFA will end any legal disputes relating to the European Super League.

"UEFA, European Football Clubs and Real Madrid CF reach agreement for the good of European club football," read a club statement.

"Following months of discussions conducted in the best interests of European football, UEFA, European Football Clubs (EFC), and Real Madrid CF announce that they have reached an agreement of principles for the well-being of European club football, respecting the principle of sporting merit with emphasis on long-term club sustainability and the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology.

"This agreement of principles will also serve to resolve their legal disputes related to the European Super League, once such principles are executed and implemented."

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UEFA released a similar statement following Madrid’s announcement.

A European Super League had been rumoured long before any official proposals were put on the table, but few people ever thought it would materialise.

Then, on April 18 2021, under the cover of darkness, the 12 clubs involved released a statement on their official websites announcing that they would be taking part in the competition.

AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid were all part of the 12-club cohort.

Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham were also involved in the shocking announcement.

The move sparked outrage across the football world, with officials, pundits and even the UK government moving quickly to condemn the plans on April 19.

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Fans also had their say, with Chelsea supporters staging a protest outside of Stamford Bridge ahead of their clash with Brighton on April 20.

In a bizarre turn of events, Chelsea legend Petr Cech was forced to intervene to ensure that the two teams could travel down the Fulham Road and enter Stamford Bridge.

Then reports started to emerge that Chelsea and Manchester City would withdraw from the European Super League.

By the morning of April 21, all six Premier League clubs had announced that they would not be involved in a European Super League, with reports also suggesting that some of the Spanish and Italian clubs were also getting cold feet.

The two Milan clubs and Atletico Madrid pulled out on April 21, leaving Juventus, Barca and Madrid as the last three clubs remaining from the initial 12.

Juventus officially withdrew in 2024.

Madrid and Barcelona have held on to the hope of a reshaped European Super league, but after Madrid’s announcement, those plans appear to be dead in the water.

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