UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid in connection with their proposed European Super League participation. The three clubs were supposed to be among the 12 ‘founding members of the proposed new league, which subsequently failed as the other nine clubs withdrew their support after widespread criticism of the concept.
However, these three have all remained in, at least for the time being, which has not gone down well with Europe’s regulatory body.
A statement from European football’s governing body read:
“Following an investigation conducted by UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona, and Juventus FC for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework.”
The participation of the other nine clubs has resulted in sanctions from European football’s governing body. The clubs have decided to make a joint goodwill gift of 15 million euros to benefit children’s and grassroots football across Europe. They will also have 5% of Uefa competition profits withheld for one season, beginning in 2023-24, and this money will be redistributed.
Earlier this month, the three clubs released a joint statement criticizing FIFA and UEFA, saying they have faced “unacceptable third-party pressures, threats, and offences to abandon the project”.
The act by UEFA raises the threat of the three teams being sanctioned, with some reports claiming they could be barred from participating in UEFA events such as the Champions League for two years.
UEFA: “Following an investigation conducted by UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Real Madrid, Barcelona & Juventus for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework”
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 25, 2021
