UEFA drops case against Super League rebels

UEFA says that it is dropping its disciplinary case against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus over their involvement in the controversial European Super League, to comply with a ruling from a Madrid court.

European football’s governing body said late Monday that “the proceedings (are) null and void, as if the proceedings had never been opened”.

It is the latest chapter in an affair that sent shockwaves through football.

The three heavyweight clubs were among 12 “founders” who caused uproar in April with their proposal for the elite breakaway league.

The nine others quickly backed down when fans and other clubs reacted with fury to the initiative, but Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus have refused to buckle.

UEFA, which had been pursuing the three clubs over what it called a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework, said that it “will not request payment” from the other nine clubs.

The Premier League clubs had agreed to pay a combined £22 million as a gesture of “goodwill” over the affair0. – AFP