Real Madrid seek Super League setup-cost payments from six Premier League clubs

Real Madrid are seeking contributions towards the setup costs of the failed European Super League from six Premier League clubs that withdrew shortly after its 2021 launch. The Spanish club confirmed the move to Reuters on Tuesday.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the clubs from which Real Madrid is seeking payment. They were among nine of the competition’s 12 founding clubs to withdraw within three days of its launch, amid widespread opposition.

Costs and club responses

The Athletic reported that the total setup costs could reach €80 million (US$89.9 million). Real Madrid said the six English clubs were liable for costs incurred in establishing the competition, which it said had so far been covered by Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Tottenham declined to comment on the payment request. The other five Premier League clubs did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

According to The Athletic, the clubs signed a shareholders’ agreement for the European Super League Company, the holding company behind the proposed competition. It remains unclear whether that agreement explicitly set out their liability for setup costs.

Real Madrid did not immediately confirm whether it was also seeking payments from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid. Those three clubs were the other founding members that withdrew in the first three days after the launch.

How the project reached this point

The Super League collapsed shortly after its launch following the withdrawal of the nine clubs. Its proposed establishment had met widespread opposition, with Chelsea fans staging a demonstration at Stamford Bridge during the backlash in 2021.

Juventus subsequently pulled out of the project, while Barcelona formally withdrew in February. Those departures left Real Madrid as the sole remaining founding club, although Real Madrid says both Juventus and Barcelona have contributed to the setup costs at issue.

What remains unresolved

Real Madrid has stated its position, but The Athletic’s account leaves open whether the shareholders’ agreement explicitly established the payment obligation.

There is also no confirmation from Real Madrid on whether it will pursue the other three early leavers. Separately, Real Madrid, Uefa and European Football Clubs announced an agreement of principles on Feb 11 aimed at resolving their Super League-related legal disputes.