Barcelona Return to European Club Association Fold as Real Madrid Representative Also Attends

Barcelona are officially back as members of the European Club Association (ECA) after nearly five years outside the organisation due to their involvement in the European Super League project. The Catalan giants severed ties with the company behind the breakaway competition and subsequently submitted a formal application for readmission.

Barcelona's return was unanimously approved by the ECA board in February. ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi personally presented the club's bid, with the organisation acknowledging Joan Laporta's key role in mending relations. As a result, Barcelona have regained full ordinary member status in the association, which represents around 850 clubs across 55 nations.

Laporta was in attendance at the General Assembly in Copenhagen, where he was seated in close proximity to Real Madrid representative Anas Laghrari and Al-Khelaifi himself. Laghrari's presence was particularly noteworthy, as Real Madrid have yet to be officially reinstated as members following the Super League fallout.