A historic week for European clubs has concluded in Rome, marking a new era for football in Europe. Under the gilding of the Italian capital, more than 700 delegates from 55 countries took part in the 32nd General Assembly of the European Football Clubs (EFC), the new name of the former European Club Association (ECA). A record attendance for a rapidly expanding organization, which now has more than 800 member clubs, which represents dazzling progress in just two years. This gathering, in the heart of the Eternal City, symbolized much more than a simple administrative meeting since it marked the official launch of a new identity and a new vision for European clubs, united around a common ambition, that of placing football and clubs at the center of the world game. The mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, welcomed in his opening speech a city “symbol of dialogue and hospitality”perfectly in tune with this new era of innovation, inclusion and growth.
The highlight of the summit was undoubtedly the unveiling of the organization's new identity: “European Football Clubs”. This change of name and logo embodies the transformation of a structure that has become more modern, more representative and more inclusive. The president of the EFC, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, insisted on the symbolic significance of this transformation: “We must not be afraid of change. Football is now at the heart of our name and logo. » For the Qatari leader, this development is not a simple communication exercise, but a profound overhaul of an institution which now wants to embody the collective voice of clubs, whether first division or semi-professional, male or female. The EFC calls for renewed and open governance, strengthened partnerships with UEFA and FIFA, and a leading role in defining the competitions of the future. This strategic shift is accompanied by concrete initiatives: a centralized membership platform, an innovation center, and above all, increased influence in the commercial management of European football through the UC3 joint venture.
Several big decisions
This Roman week also marked the notable return of FC Barcelona within the family of European clubs. After four years of absence, the Catalan club participated in its first EFC event, greeted by loud applause and constructive exchanges. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi personally welcomed Joan Laporta, praising her ability to “bring Barcelona back to life” on and off the field. This strong moment symbolizes the desire for reconciliation and unity advocated by the EFC, namely that of a football which transcends disagreements to come together around common interests. The atmosphere in Rome, made up of debates, conferences and meetings between leaders, reflected this dynamic, with a constant dialogue between large and small clubs, between tradition and innovation, between the local and the global. The intervention of Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, sealed this message of unity: “The world is looking to Europe. You are an example. We will work together, from Rome to the whole world. »
Beyond the institutional dimension, this assembly was also the scene of major announcements for the future of football. One of the most significant was the approval by UC3, the joint venture between the EFC and UEFA, of the commercial strategy for the 2027-2033 cycle of UEFA men's club competitions. This decision, taken in Rome, paves the way for a new era of shared management and commercial innovation. UC3, which manages the rights to the Champions League, the Europa League, the Conference League and now the Women's Champions League, intends to develop a more flexible and digital approach, adapted to new global media players. At the same time, the EFC announced the creation of its Innovation Center, a veritable laboratory of ideas intended to develop technological and sustainable solutions for clubs: artificial intelligence for the benefit of supporters, injury prevention tools, performance optimization… So many initiatives intended to strengthen the autonomy and competitiveness of European clubs in the long term.
This week of intense activity concluded with a series of symbolic and inspiring events. The Football Leaders Forum brought together personalities from sport and the business world, such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Lucy Bronze, Sara Gama, Aleksander Ceferin, and Michael Rubin (Fanatics), around discussions on the future of the game, the place of women in football and the transformation of the economic model. The launch of the EFC women's network, in partnership with Women in Football, illustrated the organization's desire to strengthen representativeness and diversity in sports governance. Finally, the live broadcast of “The Overlap” podcast, with Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane, brought a popular touch to this exceptional week. Between strategy, innovation, inclusion and rediscovered unity, Rome will have been the scene of a renaissance for European clubs. A historic week that redefines the balance of power in world football, and where, for the first time, clubs truly appear to hold the reins of their own destiny.
Al-Khelaïfi at the heart of the revolution
For Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, the birth of European Football Clubs (EFC) marks a historic turning point in the governance of continental football. By opening the Rome Forum, he insisted on the symbolism of this change of identity: “ Our rebrand as European Football Clubs reflects who we are today, a united family working together to make football more democratic, more inclusive and more ambitious. » This new name, according to him, is not a simple cosmetic gesture, but “ a declaration for our future », a strong act to anchor the central place of clubs in the construction of the football of tomorrow. By greeting “ trust and partnership » with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, Al-Khelaïfi reaffirmed his commitment to a common vision: that of balanced football where sporting merit and solidarity replace the logic of rupture. His message was intended to be clear: the EFC must be a bulwark against any attempt at elitism, while being an engine of collective progress.
In his speech, Al-Khelaïfi detailed the major concrete progress made by the organization in recent years. He highlighted the extent of the work accomplished in terms of redistribution and financial support: “ We are helping to transform the levels of income distributed to smaller clubs, with over €440 million in annual solidarity from the UCC and $250 million from the Club World Cup to support the entire football pyramid. » This mechanism, according to him, makes it possible to strengthen the stability of the ecosystem, recognizing that “ the success of the game depends on the well-being and balance of our entire ecosystem “. He also welcomed the creation of a “ central membership department », a real assistance service for clubs, capable of managing hundreds of financial and legal cases each year. “ We are no longer an Association, we are an Institution, » he said with pride, recalling how the EFC has become a structuring, protective and unifying force within European football.
But Al-Khelaïfi looks even further: he wants to make EFC a global laboratory for innovation and sustainable growth. He announced the creation of a “ EFC Center of Innovation », a think tank intended to stimulate new ideas, particularly on the use of artificial intelligence to improve the fan experience or prevent player injuries. “ We must think differently, innovate and improve together, » he launched, calling on each club to contribute to this dynamic. The president of PSG does not forget the importance of social ties either: “ Clubs are not corporations – clubs are communities; they are people. » It is in this spirit that he wishes to strengthen proximity with supporters via a new Fans Working Group, and encourage constant dialogue between institutions, clubs and audiences. In conclusion, he summarized his philosophy in a resolutely collective tone: “ When we defend together, attack together, run for each other… everything becomes possible. Nothing beats team – and, above all, European Football Clubs is a team. »
