Super League: Real Madrid demands €80m from six English clubs

Real Madrid is demanding €80m from six English Premier League clubs for their share of Super League launch costs, despite their 2021 withdrawal from the failed project.

Five years after the Super League collapsed, Real Madrid is pursuing the six English clubs that initially signed up but withdrew from the breakaway competition. According to The Athletic, Real Madrid believes Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham should contribute to the estimated €80 million in costs incurred for launching and promoting the competition, regardless of their departure from the project.

All 12 founding clubs—including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and the six English sides—had signed contracts with European Super League Company, a Spanish holding company, when the competition was announced in April 2021. The project collapsed within days after fierce opposition from supporters, national leagues and UEFA. Nine clubs withdrew immediately, Juventus left in 2023, and Barcelona departed in February 2024, leaving Real Madrid as the sole remaining backer.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have so far borne the launch costs themselves. The contractual dispute may now determine whether the English clubs are legally obligated to share the financial burden.