The announcement follows recent developments in which Barcelona withdrew from the Super League, leaving Real Madrid as the only major club still aligned with the breakaway competition. The club had been seeking substantial damages from UEFA after the governing body lost a court appeal in October 2025 related to its actions against the Super League plan.
On Wednesday, UEFA, the European Football Clubs (EFC) and Real Madrid said they had agreed on a set of principles “for the good of European club football,” signaling a move toward resolving the legal battle.
The joint statement read in part:
“Following months of discussions conducted in the best interests of European football, UEFA, EFC, and Real Madrid announce that they have reached an agreement of principles for the wellbeing 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.”
The statement added that the agreement would be used to resolve their legal disputes once the principles are executed and implemented.
The European Super League was first proposed in 2021, with 12 clubs initially backing the plan. However, it collapsed within days after widespread backlash from supporters, with most clubs withdrawing within 72 hours. Premier League teams such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur all pulled out of the project.
Barcelona and Real Madrid remained the most vocal supporters of the project until October 2025, when Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta said the club wanted to rebuild ties with UEFA and rejoin the EFC.
Real Madrid’s legal case stems from a Madrid court ruling that found UEFA, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga were engaging in anti-competitive behaviour by preventing clubs from joining the Super League. This followed a European Court of Justice ruling in 2023 that such bans were unlawful.
Attempts to revive the concept resurfaced in December 2024, with the launch of the Unify League, a 96-club proposal divided into four leagues, but it failed to gain traction.
It remains unclear whether Real Madrid still supports the Super League concept, as the club’s future involvement has not been confirmed in the latest agreement.