Real Madrid have confirmed they are pursuing contributions from the six Premier League teams that abandoned the European Super League soon after its 2021 unveiling, seeking to recover expenses linked to creating the failed competition.

The overall bill could rise to €80 million ($89.9 million). Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the English sides from whom Madrid are requesting payments.

Quick facts

• Nine of the 12 original Super League members withdrew within three days in 2021.
• The six English clubs are among those being asked to cover formation costs.
• Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid initially met the project’s expenses.
• Real Madrid are now the only founding club still attached to the project.

The Premier League contingent formed part of the nine founding members to exit within 72 hours of the announcement, following fierce opposition to the proposed breakaway tournament.

Real Madrid did not immediately clarify whether it was also pursuing AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid, the other three clubs that left during the first wave of withdrawals.

Madrid’s position is that the English six are responsible for a share of the costs generated while setting up the competition. Those expenses have so far been paid by Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Tottenham chose not to comment. The remaining five Premier League clubs had not provided an immediate response.

All 12 original participants reportedly signed a shareholders’ agreement involving the European Super League Company, the holding vehicle established for the competition. It remains uncertain, however, whether that deal specifically defined responsibility for the initial setup expenditure.

The project effectively unravelled almost immediately after nine teams pulled out following its launch.

Juventus later ended its involvement, while Barcelona officially withdrew in February. That left Real Madrid as the sole club still standing from the original group of founders.

On February 11, Real Madrid, UEFA and European Football Clubs announced an agreement in principle intended to settle their legal disputes connected with the Super League.