Barcelona Withdraws from Super League

FC Barcelona announced its withdrawal from the European Super League project on Saturday, leaving Real Madrid as the sole remaining founding club committed to the controversial breakaway competition. The Catalan club notified the organizing company, A22 Sports Management, and the other involved parties of its decision, marking a pivotal shift after years of joint advocacy with its Spanish rival.

The European Super League was unveiled in April 2021 by 12 prominent clubs seeking to establish a closed, elite 20-team tournament as an alternative to the UEFA Champions League. The proposal guaranteed spots for 15 founding members regardless of domestic performance, prompting widespread criticism from fans, governments, and football authorities over its potential to undermine merit-based competition and national leagues. Within days, intense backlash led to the rapid exit of all six English clubs: Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. Italian sides AC Milan and Inter Milan followed, along with Spanish club Atletico Madrid. Juventus withdrew in 2023, reducing the supporters to Barcelona and Real Madrid.