Laporta turns the tables: Barcelona regains its lost influence

Barcelona are rebuilding their institutional influence in European football after years shaped by the fallout from the European Super League. The club cut ties with the body supporting that project, then applied to rejoin the European Club Association—formerly the ECA—and received unanimous approval in February 2026. More than simply returning, Barcelona plan to compete for the post of association vice-president in 2027, after meetings involving president Joan Laporta with key figures including PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. The ECA represents over 800 clubs and has a say on competitions, scheduling, financial rules, transfers, and commercial rights. The shift also extends to Spain’s league.