Joan Laporta occupies the media field. Yesterday, the president of FC Barcelona made headlines after his fiery reunion with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi during the meeting of the EFC (European Football Clubs, formerly known as the ECA) in Rome. Indeed, the two men, once in conflict, were seen hugging each other rather warmly. Afterwards, they sat around a table and a nice meal alongside UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. Which did not go unnoticed and which caused talk in Spain.
Last night on the show OnzeTV3 on Esports3consultant Lluis Carasco did not mince his words on this backlash. “This embrace does not come from a big club, it comes from a club that accepts the submission to power that Al-Khelaïfi represents, but it also represents unity within the world of football.” On the other side of the Pyrenees, some believe that this rapprochement is not trivial and that it is a way of announcing the withdrawal of FC Barcelona from the Superleague project. The Culés were the last to be involved in this initiative, alongside Real Madrid who maintain their position.
Laporta announces new union between Barça and EFC
This Thursday, the Cadena COPE assures that Barça will abandon the Superleague project. But Iberian radio specifies that the Camp Nou residents cannot make this official because of the substantial penalties they would have to pay to A22 Sports Management, the company which is to help implement the project. “The idea is to let the project die”indicated the Cadena COPE. During the night, Joan Laporta was questioned on the subject and on his rapprochement with NAK and the EFC.
“The president of the EFC invited us. We quietly accepted the invitation. There is a very good relationship with Al-Khelaïfi. We are for the peace of European football”admitted Laporta before making a very big announcement: “We want to find an agreement and return to UEFA. This is what all clubs want. Coming here allows you to generate good things.” The message is therefore rather clear from the boss of Barça, who has not been a member of the EFC for some time and who therefore seems to be saying goodbye to the Superleague to which UEFA is clearly opposed.
The FCB boss also discusses the Flick and Lamine Yamal cases
Laporta took advantage of the tight microphones to take stock of the club's current sporting situation. He maintained his trust in Deco (sports director) and Hansi Flick (coach). “They don’t want any relaxation. It's a reflection. We just won three major titles last season – the Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey and La Liga – and we narrowly missed out on the Champions League, which is extra motivation for this year. What they want is for there to be no let-up, for us to have the same intensity, the same state of mind, the same desire, the same thirst as last year. »
He put an end to the rumors about the German coach. “We still believe, of course, in the team and in Hansi Flick. Deco made very fair statements. It is true that we have a very competitive team if we work hard. This is the mission of Hansi and the players, and they will progress in this direction. This year we have to maintain this tension, and these are two very good thoughts from Deco and Flick. Finally, he had a few words for Lamine Yamal. “Lamine Yamal is more mature than a boy his age. He's a boy who makes himself loved. »
