English Premier League
Laporta leads Barcelona at ECA meeting as Perez sends trusted adviser for Real Madrid
Barcelona president Joan Laporta headed his club’s delegation at the European Club Association’s annual general assembly in Copenhagen, while Real Madrid was represented by one of Florentino Perez’s closest advisers, French-Moroccan banker Anas Lagari.
The contrasting presence of the two Spanish giants highlighted the divisions and alliances shaping European football as the association, led by Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, held its latest annual meeting in the Danish capital.
The European Club Association now has 850 member clubs after Racing Santander joined, along with several other Spanish sides. Those clubs include Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, Real Betis and Villarreal. A place has also been allocated to Madrid’s women’s club, which competes in the Spanish league.
Barcelona took part officially as a full member, with Laporta attending in person. Real Madrid, however, was not allocated a seat, despite the presence of its representative, Anas Lagari, inside the meeting, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The arrangement comes after Real Madrid returned to the European football structure following an agreement with UEFA and its withdrawal from the European Super League project. The club’s position within the European Club Association remains different from that of the other Spanish clubs.
Perez’s representative
Lagari is regarded as one of Perez’s most trusted advisers. The French banker, who is of Moroccan origin and specialises in financial operations, represented Real Madrid at a gathering of senior figures from across European football despite the absence of the club’s president.
His relationship with Perez dates back to his childhood. Lagari has advised him on a range of matters involving both ACS, the construction group, and Real Madrid, making him one of the key figures relied upon by Perez on sensitive issues.
The Copenhagen meeting was attended by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and general secretary Giorgio Marchetti, as well as senior officials from a number of leading European clubs.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who attended last year’s gathering in Rome, was absent this time. He was represented by Fifa secretary general Mattias Grafstrom.
Infantino’s absence comes amid controversy surrounding several of his recent proposals, including the idea of privatising the World Cup.