Nasser Al-Khelaifi welcomes Real Madrid back to European Club Association: ‘We are delighted…’

Nasser Al-Khelaifi welcomes Real Madrid back to European Club Association: ‘We are delighted…’ Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has welcomed Real Madrid’s expected return to the European Football Clubs (EFC), formerly known as the European Club Association, describing the development as a positive step for European football. Speaking at the opening of the EFC’s 33rd annual general meeting, Al-Khelaifi, who is also the EFC president, confirmed that Real Madrid are on course to rejoin the organisation after its long absence. “We are delighted that Real Madrid is in the process of rejoining the EFC,” said Al-Khelaifi, as per Mundo Deportivo . The development marks an important change in relations between Real Madrid and the organisation, particularly given the club’s central role in the European Super League project and the disputes that followed. Al-Khelaifi praises Florentino Perez and welcomes Laporta Al-Khelaifi also used his speech to acknowledge Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, whom he described as his “dear friend”. Nasser Al-Khelaifi confirms Real Madrid will return to EFC. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) The EFC president thanked Perez for his contribution to football and for supporting the idea that European football’s future of the sport in Europe “needs to be built on unity and the collective interest.” The Qatari official also thanked Barcelona president Joan Laporta for having “placed his trust” in the organisation and welcomed the Barcelona president into its “family” .  Notably, the EFC now brings together more than 900 clubs across European football. Real Madrid’s EFC return follows Super League dispute Real Madrid’s expected return comes after UEFA, the EFC and the Spanish club reached an agreement in February aimed at resolving the legal disputes connected to the Super League. The agreement came days after Barcelona announced their formal withdrawal from the project, leaving Real Madrid as the only club still supporting the competition. Real Madrid abandoned the European Super League project ealier this year. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League project, has separately filed a damages lawsuit against UEFA while also seeking recognition of the competition. The dispute has its roots in April 2021, when several of Europe’s biggest clubs announced plans to create the Super League.  UEFA rejected the project immediately and has maintained that position since then, creating a major split within European football. The legal battle has continued through the courts, with the Madrid Provincial Court dismissing an appeal against a previous ruling last October. Real Madrid’s return to the EFC therefore represents a strong shift in the relationship between the club and the wider European football establishment.