Barca, Madrid to ‘Cash Out’  ‘€1bn Loyalty Bonus from Super League

EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE FALLOUT 

Barcelona and Real Madrid would both net a loyalty bonus of as much as €1billion (£870m) should the Super League project ultimately emerge, according to reports in Spain.

The Spanish giants have been the survivors of the Super League project launched in 2021, with 12 founder clubs having initially signed up before the majority withdrew after fan protests.

Both clubs have welcomed the European Court of Justice’s ruling that UEFA and FIFA had acted in contravention of EU competition law in sanctioning the rebel European Super League clubs.

The binding ruling handed out marked the latest stage in a legal process initiated by the European Super League Company.

It followed clubs who participated in the breakaway being threatened with sanctions by the governing bodies.

Within hours of the verdict, a new format – which was revealed by A22 CEO Bernd Reichart – will see both a men’s and women’s competition, with 64 teams competing in the men’s and 32 in the women’s.

In terms of the men’s competition, the 64 clubs will be split into three separate leagues – star, gold, and blue – with the star league the strongest and blue the weakest.

According to the Barcelona-based newspaper Sport, the Catalan giants and Real Madrid could both net a bonus potentially as much as €1billion (£870m) should the competition eventually go ahead.

The report claims the two clubs will be rewarded for their loyalty to the Super League despite pressure from governing bodies and governments.

A significant bonus would be welcomed in particular by Barcelona, with the club a reported £477m (€552m) in debt.

The remaining 10 founding clubs – including Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man United and Tottenham – who withdraw from the Super League could reportedly face a €300m (£260m) fine, it is claimed. 

Barcelona president Joan Laporta welcomed Thursday’s judgment on the case.

“European Justice agrees with us. There is a monopoly situation,” Laporta said.

“A historic opportunity opens up to solve some of the serious problems that compromise the clubs.”

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez also called out a ‘monopoly’ in his statement which lauded the verdict with ‘tremendous satisfaction’.

“Starting today (Thursday), the present and the future of European football are in the hands of the clubs, the players and the fans. Our destiny now belongs to us and we have a great responsibility in our hands.

“This day marks a turning point. It is a great day in the history of football and sport in general.”

Atletico Madrid and Man United, who were among the Super League’s founding members have both released statements confirming they will not be part of the revived project.