Al-Khelaifi urges Ceferin to stand again as European clubs seek greater unity

European Club Association (ECA) chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has called on UEFA president Alexander Ceferin to run for re-election next year, while describing the current state of football as “truly sad”.

Speaking at the ECA General Assembly in Copenhagen, Al-Khelaifi also thanked Barcelona president Joan Laporta for helping bring his club back into the organisation, which now has more than 850 clubs.

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

Sources close to A22 said an agreement for Real Madrid to return to the ECA was close, after which the club would withdraw its legal case.

“I would like to thank Barcelona president Joan Laporta for his confidence in the ECA. Welcome back to the family,” said Al-Khelaifi. “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 the contribution of European clubs to the global game should be recognised, pointing to the 2026 World Cup.

“Global football is hugely important to our clubs too,” he said. “We all watched the 2026 World Cup this summer, where 857 players from European clubs took part. That was close to 70% of all the players involved and equivalent to the combined squads of 33 of the 48 participating nations. I hope people finally understand the value of clubs.”

He added: “It is truly sad to see the current situation. Instead of taking our sport forward, we are wasting time dealing with problems and difficulties. Football thrives when we listen to one another, when we are transparent with each other, but most importantly when we are honest. Whatever our differences, football remains bigger and more important than any of us.”

Al-Khelaifi’s appeal to Ceferin

Al-Khelaifi said UEFA and clubs achieved the most when they worked together, despite occasional disagreements.

“When UEFA and the clubs work side by side, football is the biggest winner,” he said. “We address every issue or problem 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, describing that as “real cooperation”.

Addressing Ceferin directly, Al-Khelaifi said: “Alexander, I know you are tired of my daily calls and messages about all our demands as clubs. I must thank you for your patience, your support for clubs and your defence of the wider interests of football, even when that is not easy.”

“Football needs great leaders like you and, on behalf of more than 900 association members, we ask you to stand for the presidency again next year.”

Ceferin is expected to announce his decision in December, four months before the UEFA congress in Kazakhstan in April 2027.

The ECA is also voting on changes to its statutes. Al-Khelaifi said the reforms would give all members – ordinary and associate, and clubs of small, medium or large size – a direct voice and voting rights on all major decisions.

He said the organisation would become “more democratic than ever” across its executive board, working groups and committees, while retaining its effectiveness and balance. Members would also be able to represent the ECA in UEFA, FIFA and other committees, with strong female representation guaranteed across the executive board’s sub-bodies.

Al-Khelaifi said the ECA remained committed to reaching 1,000 member clubs, arguing that its diversity was a strength. He said a club with 5,000 supporters could teach one with 50 million, a women’s club from Ireland could inspire a men’s club from Italy, and a youth academy in Denmark could develop a player who changes football worldwide.