By Adedapo Adesanya
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has dropped its disciplinary action against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus over their involvement in the controversial European Super League in compliance with a ruling from a Madrid court.
The 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 after they disagreed to sign a “Club Commitment Declaration” and accept a five per cent cut in their European revenue for one season that was signed by nine of the initial 12 founders of the rebel league.
The nine others – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid – 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, also said following this development that it “will not request payment” from the other nine clubs including English sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, football experts say that the notion of a Super League is by no means dead in the water and Barcelona president, Mr Joan Laporta, recently warned that the Super League was “still alive”.
He said that the Super League would mean “financial sustainability for the clubs and make for a more attractive competition”.
Meanwhile, UEFA also has not given in as it subtlely warned that it will continue fighting its corner.
“UEFA will continue to take all necessary steps, in strict accordance with national and European Union law, in order to defend the interests of UEFA and of all football stakeholders,” it said.
Dipo Olowookere