LAUSANNE: 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, also said that it “will not request payment” from the other nine clubs including English sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Premier League clubs had agreed to pay a combined £22 million as a gesture of “goodwill” over the affair. The other three clubs among the 12 were Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
Experts say that the notion of a Super League is by no means dead in the water and Barcelona president 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.”
UEFA on Monday signalled its intention to continue fighting its corner.
“UEFA will continue to take all necessary steps, in strict accordance with national and EU law, in order to defend the interests of UEFA and of all football stakeholders,” it said.
UEFA drops case against European Super League rebels
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UEFA drops case against European Super League rebels
Lens return top of Ligue 1 with win over Rennes
- Esteban Lepaul steered Rennes into an early lead in northern France
- Aguilar’s joy was cut short when he was sent off shortly afterwards for a second yellow card
PARIS: Lens reclaimed top spot from Paris Saint-Germain to keep up their unexpected Ligue 1 title challenge as they beat Rennes 3-1 on Saturday to register a 10th successive home win.
Esteban Lepaul steered Rennes into an early lead in northern France when he slid home a pass from new signing Arnaud Nordin for his 10th goal of the season.
Former Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard brought Lens level before half-time and Ruben Aguilar headed in a cross from Florian Thauvin to put Lens ahead eight minutes into the second half.
Aguilar’s joy was cut short when he was sent off shortly afterwards for a second yellow card, but 10-man Lens held on and grabbed a third goal through ex-Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin.
Lens have won 10 of their last 11 games in the French top flight and hold a one-point lead over PSG, who host bitter rivals Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
However, Lens coach Pierre Sage said he did not consider his team to be in a genuine title race with PSG and primarily wants to focus on securing European football for next season.
“We’re completely distancing ourselves from that,” he said. “We had a points target in mind and once we’ve reached that we can start drawing up other ambitions.”
Lyon travel to Nantes later on Saturday seeking a sixth straight league win that would send them above Marseille and into third place.
French Cup quarter-finalists Lorient saw their 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions ended by a 2-0 loss at Brest.
