MADRID – February 11, 2026 – In a landmark development for world football, Real Madrid, UEFA, and the European Club Association (ECA) announced today a definitive preliminary agreement to terminate the long-standing legal disputes surrounding the European Super League (ESL) project.
This historic truce follows the official withdrawal of FC Barcelona from the project last weekend, a move that left Real Madrid as the sole remaining advocate of the breakaway league.
The Three Pillars of the Agreement
The new partnership is built upon three fundamental principles designed to safeguard the future of European football:
Sporting Merit: A total commitment to the "open model," where participation in continental competitions is earned exclusively through on-field performance and domestic league results.
Financial Sustainability: Implementing rigorous regulatory frameworks to ensure long-term economic stability for clubs across the pyramid.
Technological Innovation: A shared pledge to revolutionize the global fan experience through advanced broadcasting technologies and digital engagement.
Settling the €4.5 Billion Dispute
The agreement effectively pulls the plug on years of litigation in European courts:
Legal Cessation: All pending lawsuits between the parties will be settled immediately upon the execution of the final contract.
Financial Claims: This settlement puts an end to Real Madrid’s previous claims for massive damages, which were estimated at €4.5 billion ($5 billion), filed on the grounds of UEFA’s alleged obstruction of free competition.
Reintegration: Real Madrid will officially rejoin the European Club Association (ECA), marking their full return to the European football fold for the first time since the project’s controversial launch in April 2021.
A Defining Shift in European Football
The radical shift in position by Real Madrid’s board, led by President Florentino Pérez, represents the formal closing of the Super League file. Despite previous court rulings that initially favored the ESL, the lack of public support from other major clubs over the past year made the project’s survival untenable.
With this agreement, the football world moves toward a unified future under the reformed UEFA competition structures.
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