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FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2Getty Images Sport

Barcelona looking to 'build bridges' with UEFA and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi after abandoning controversial Super League project

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Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
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Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

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Over 28 monthsSave 73%
Protect 14 devices with the top ExpressVPN plan
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Over 28 monthsSave 67%
Protect 10 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Basic

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's entry-level Basic plan gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 10 different devices simultaneously, and offers Lite Protection that blocks ads and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Basic plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 10MB/month private email relay plus 10 shared aliases.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 80%.


Over 28 monthsSave 80%
Advanced protection across 11 devices with high-speed VPN
ExpressVPN

Advanced

Those that sign up for ExpressVPN's most popular plan, the Advance plan, gain access to a high-speed VPN, which offers high-capacity 40Gbps servers in many high-demand locations, with VPN servers in 113 countries worldwide.

The VPN can be applied across 12 different devices simultaneously, and offers Advanced Protection that blocks ads, trackers and malicious and adult websites. A dedicated IP is available to be purchased as an add-on.

Additionally, ExpressVPN's Advanced plan includes the ExpressMailGuard, which offers a 100MB/month private email relay plus 50 shared aliases and a custom domain, and ExpressKeys, which gives users a password management facility for an unlimited number of passwords plus a 2FA authenticator.

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users. The plan is available on a one-month rolling contract, although those that sign up for a 12-month plan (offering one year plus an extra three months) can save more than 60%, while those that sign up for a two-year plan (offering two years plus an extra four months) can save 73%. Both longer-term plans include a 3GB holiday.com eSIM that is valid for three days in 150+ destinations.


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  • The Super League saga

    The European Super League (ESL), announced in April 2021 by 12 top clubs including Barcelona, promised guaranteed spots and significant financial rewards, estimating over €10 billion (£8.7bn/$11bn) in solidarity payments and bonuses. But the plan faced immediate opposition from fans, players, UEFA, FIFA, governments and most clubs.

    The backlash severely damaged Barcelona’s reputation and threatened their relationship with UEFA. The club have since abandoned the project and are actively seeking to mend ties with European football authorities, emphasising cooperation, dialogue and trust-building.

  • FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2Getty Images Sport

    Barcelona seeks to mend bridges

    Barcelona president Laporta attended a meeting in Rome organised by Paris Saint-Germain president Al-Khelaifi, who sits at the head of the EFC (formerly known as the European Club Association) and UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin, signalling the club’s intent to reconcile.

    “Nasser, the president of the EFC, invited us. We graciously accepted; there's a very good relationship. With FC Barcelona, we're in favour of pacifying European football; we want an agreement and a return to UEFA. By coming here, we want to build rapport and for this agreement to be reached. They're behaving very well, they're showing us a lot of respect. We have to do everything necessary to reach an agreement. Barça is on this path; it was our role to build bridges, both with Nasser and Ceferin,” said Laporta.

  • Fallout and lessons from the Super League

    The ESL’s announcement triggered massive protests from fans, who viewed it as a greedy and elitist betrayal of football values. Players and coaches voiced strong opposition, emphasising sporting merit and competitive fairness, while UEFA and FIFA threatened sanctions against clubs and players.

    Most founding clubs quickly withdrew under pressure, leaving Barcelona and Real Madrid as the main defenders. The collapse highlighted the risks of undermining domestic leagues, damaged club reputations, and forced UEFA to revamp its competitions, ensuring financial and competitive stability while reducing incentives for breakaway leagues.

    Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was strongly against the ESL, warning that changing the game in a way that benefits only a few would harm football. Former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, also opposed the plan, highlighting that it would move away from 70 years of European club football and create a closed shop at the top level.

    UEFA President Ceferin criticised the ESL organisers, noting that supporters were being treated as consumers, fans as customers, and competitions as products, with greed and money taking precedence over solidarity and glory.

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  • FC Barcelona v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2Getty Images Sport

    Moving forward in European football

    Having formally distanced itself from the Super League, Blaugrana are focused on cooperation within UEFA frameworks and positive engagement with European clubs. The Rome meeting represents the first step in rebuilding relationships. Barca aims to restore trust and emphasise merit-based competition signaling a new chapter in European football.