Real Madrid have asked six Premier League clubs that withdrew from the failed European Super League to contribute to its setup costs. The Spanish club confirmed the request on Tuesday.
A press report cited total costs of up to €80 million ($89.9 million). The clubs targeted are Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Real did not immediately say whether it had made similar requests to AC Milan, Inter Milan or Atletico Madrid, the other early leavers.
Real Madrid says English clubs are liable for costs
Real said the six English clubs are liable for the expenses incurred in establishing the competition. So far, those costs have been covered by Juventus, Barcelona and Real. Tottenham declined to comment, while the other five clubs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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The same report said the clubs signed a shareholders’ agreement for the European Super League Company, the holding company behind the competition. It is unclear, however, whether that contract explicitly set out their liability for setup costs.
Super League collapse and February legal agreement
The competition fell apart shortly after its 2021 launch, when nine of its 12 founding clubs withdrew within three days amid widespread opposition. Juventus later pulled out, and Barcelona formally withdrew in February, leaving Real as the sole remaining founding club.
Real, UEFA and European Football Clubs announced an agreement of principles on February 11 aimed at resolving their Super League-related legal disputes.
