Al-Khelaifi urges Ceferin to seek another UEFA term as ECA welcomes unity

Nasser Al-Khelaifi has urged UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to stand for re-election next year, while describing the current state of football as “truly sad” and welcoming signs of improved relations between the European Clubs Association (ECA), Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Speaking at the ECA General Assembly in Copenhagen, Al-Khelaifi, who is also president of Paris Saint-Germain, thanked Barcelona president Joan Laporta for his efforts to restore the club to the European clubs’ organisation, which now has more than 850 members.

He also praised Real Madrid president Florentino Perez for working towards an agreement that would make the Spanish club an official ECA member. Negotiations have begun, and the presence in Copenhagen of Anas Al-Gharari, representing A22 – the company that was due to run the European Super League – was viewed as a sign of improving relations between the ECA and Real Madrid.

Sources close to A22 said Real Madrid’s return to the association was close, after which the club would withdraw its legal action.

“I would like to thank Barcelona president Joan Laporta for his trust in the ECA. Welcome back to the club family,” Al-Khelaifi said. “I would also like to thank Real Madrid president Florentino Perez for his belief that the future of European football must be built on unity and common interests. We are delighted to welcome them back to the family of European football clubs.”

Al-Khelaifi said European clubs’ contribution to the global game should be recognised, citing the 2026 World Cup held this summer. A total of 857 players from European clubs took part, representing nearly 70% of all players at the tournament and the equivalent of the combined squads of 33 of the 48 participating national teams.

“I hope people finally understand the value that clubs represent,” he said. “It is truly sad to see the current situation. Instead of improving our sport, we are wasting time dealing with problems and difficulties.

“Football thrives when we listen to each other, when we are transparent with one another, but above all when we are honest. Whatever our differences, football remains bigger and more important than any of us.”

Call for Ceferin to continue

Al-Khelaifi said Ceferin was expected to announce his decision on a further presidential campaign in December, four months before the UEFA Congress in Kazakhstan in April 2027.

“When UEFA and the clubs work side by side, football is the biggest winner,” he said. “We address every issue directly and decisively. UEFA may not always be happy with the clubs, and the clubs may not always be happy with UEFA, but we always find solutions.”

He noted that 36 ECA representatives currently sit on 15 UEFA committees, calling it “real cooperation”, before thanking Ceferin for his patience, support for clubs and defence of football’s wider interests.

“On behalf of more than 900 clubs in the association, we ask you to stand again for the presidency next year,” he said.

The assembly also voted on changes to the ECA’s statutes. Al-Khelaifi said ordinary and associate members, whether from small, medium-sized or large clubs, would gain a direct voice and voting rights on all major decisions.

The reforms are intended to create a more democratic structure across the executive board, working groups and committees, while maintaining efficiency and balance. Members will also be able to represent the ECA in UEFA, FIFA and other committees, with strong female representation promised across the executive board’s sub-groups.

Al-Khelaifi said the association remained committed to reaching 1,000 member clubs, arguing that its diversity was a strength. “A club with 5,000 supporters can teach one with 50 million, while a women’s club from Ireland can inspire a men’s club from Italy,” he said.