UEFA will not kick Real Madrid out of this season's Champions League
The Executive Committee discussed what action might be taken on the clubs involved in the Super League but no punishment will be meted out for now.
UEFA's Executive Committee held a video conference today to discuss some of the final details relating to this summer's rescheduled Euro 2020 but members also dealt with the issue of the European Super League and whether to punish the projects ringleaders, Real Madrid and Juventus. For the moment, neither Madrid nor Juve will face a ban, although UEFA plan to study the case in greater depth before making a decision. "UEFA's Executive Committee received updated information regrading the latest developments relating to the so-called 'Super League', including the options open to UEFA and the steps which they are considering to take".
The Super League was not one of the orders of the day when UEFA announced on Monday that the new venues for Euro 2020 would be announced at the end of the week, it is however, an issue which is serious enough to merit investigation by the executive body.
Madrid and City's semi-finals to go ahead
It was decided that Real Madrid will not be expelled from the current edition of the Champions League. The same applies for the other semi-finalists Manchester City and also Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United who will remain in this year's Europa League. The five clubs were among the 12 who announced they would be breaking away to form a new, elite tournament without UEFA's involvement.
UEFA's executive body could open an inquiry into all five clubs but they do not have the power to kick them out of this year's competitions as various legal experts have confirmed to AS. Such an event is not listed in the organizations Disciplinary Regulations and besides, UEFA would have faced lawsuits from the television companies who hold the rights to broadcast the games who would seek damages if the remaining games were not to go ahead. Real Madrid and Chelsea play the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.
Madrid and Juve could be banned from 2021/2 edition
What remains to be see is whether UEFA will continue their investigation against Madrid. While no action will be taken in the short-term, that is not to say that UEFA will not impede Madrid and Juventus from taking part in next year's editions of the Champions League. The tournament organisers are within their rights to determine which clubs qualify for European competition next season. A definitive decision will be made in the next few months before the new campaign starts.