Real Madrid are seeking compensation from Uefa after the club said on Wednesday that the regional court of Madrid had dismissed appeals filed by Uefa, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and La Liga in relation to the Super League.
Madrid were one of 12 European clubs that backed the breakaway competition in 2021 before support for the controversial event collapsed under fan and government pressure. Uefa had also stopped the formation of the Super League but in December 2023, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) said Uefa and Fifa had contravened EU law by doing so.
“Real Madrid welcomes the decision by the regional court of Madrid to dismiss the appeals lodged by Uefa, the RFEF and La Liga, confirming that Uefa, in the matter of the Super League, seriously infringed EU competition rules in line with the CJEU ruling, abusing its dominant position,” a club statement said. “This ruling paves the way for the club to claim substantial damages.”
Last year a Spanish judge ordered Fifa and Uefa to halt their opposition to a parallel European competition, ruling they were practising anti-competitive behaviour and abusing their dominant position. Reuters has contacted Uefa for comment.
Vinícius apologises for reaction to substitution
The Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior has issued a public apology after he reacted angrily to being substituted during Sunday’s 2-1 clásico victory over Barcelona.
Vinícius made his displeasure known to the manager, Xabi Alonso, before going straight to the dressing room. The Brazilian revealed he had personally apologised to his teammates and to the club president, Florentino Pérez, but any mention of Alonso was notably absent from his statement.
Vinícius Júnior reacts to being substituted by Xabi Alonso Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters
“Today I want to apologise to all Real Madrid fans for my reaction when I was substituted in El Clásico,” Vinícius said via his social media accounts. “As I have already done in person during today’s training session, I also want to apologise again to my teammates, the club and the president.”
The 25-year-old attributed his outburst to his competitive drive, explaining: “Sometimes my passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive nature stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents.”
Vinícius is thought to have had a difficult relationship with Alonso since the Spaniard took over in May. Alonso has substituted him several times this season, with Vinícius playing all 90 minutes in just three out of 13 matches in La Liga and the Champions League.
