Barcelona Seeks to Rebuild Ties with UEFA
Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, announced that the club aims to restore its relationship with UEFA and rejoin the European Football Clubs (EFC), a decision that challenges the European Super League initiative.
Barcelona’s connection with UEFA soured in 2021 when the club was one of 12 founding members of the Super League, which was conceived as an alternative to UEFA’s Champions League. Simultaneously, the club exited from the EFC, previously known as the European Club Association (ECA).
While addressing attendees of an EFC event in Rome on Wednesday, Laporta expressed the desire for renewed cooperation with both UEFA and the EFC.
However, he did not confirm whether Barcelona would withdraw from the Super League, which still includes Real Madrid. A strengthened relationship with UEFA and the EFC could complicate the club’s position in this contentious project.
“We are dedicated to fostering connections between the Super League and UEFA,” Laporta stated during an event in Barcelona on Thursday. “Barcelona’s stance is apparent, and all stakeholders are aware. We advocate for reconciliation, as there remains a path for Super League clubs to reconcile with UEFA.”
“We feel a strong affinity towards UEFA and the EFC. It’s vital that we participate actively and seek improvements in both organizations.”
When questioned whether recent developments might signal the end of the Super League, a source within Barcelona emphasized the intention to pursue solutions beneficial to all involved.
The Super League faced swift collapse following its announcement four years ago, with the six English clubs withdrawing, followed by Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus. This left only Madrid, whose president Florentino Pérez promotes the initiative alongside A22, and Barcelona.
In 2024, the project was rebranded as the Unify League but has struggled to gain traction after the Champions League underwent restructuring last season.
UEFA, under the leadership of president Aleksander Čeferin, has engaged in multiple meetings with Laporta in recent months. UEFA oversees European football, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
The EFC, recognized by both UEFA and FIFA as the exclusive independent body for European football clubs, is chaired by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain, who met with Laporta this week. The organization comprises around 800 clubs from across Europe.
Barcelona was one of the original 16 clubs involved in the ECA’s establishment in 2008 but departed following the failure of the Super League project in 2021.
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