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FC Barcelona: candidates, challenges ... what you need to know about the presidential election

2021-03-06T08:13:29.459Z


The socios of Barça are called, this Sunday, to elect a new boss between three candidates. Already in office from 2003 to 2010, Joan Laporta p


A brand image.

Wednesday evening, during the "remount" of FC Barcelona against Sevilla in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey (3-0), the three were there, seated in the same row in the stands of Camp Nou.

Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font are the candidates for the presidential election of the Catalan club, headless since the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu on October 27, 2020. This Sunday, March 7, the candidates go through the ballot box.

All three days before the return leg of the knockout stages of the Champions League against PSG and in the heart of a tense legal context.

What is this election?

In Spain, four top division clubs have the legal status of “non-profit civil society”.

Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, CA Osasuna and FC Barcelona.

Concretely, this means that no one is “owner” of the entity.

This includes "socios" who pay each season for their membership in this association.

And these are called to the vote of a president, elected by direct universal suffrage for a six-year term, renewable once.

This Sunday, 110,290 members make up the electoral procession, including 87,479 in physical presence in the various polling places.

In the last three elections, the turnout hovered between 43% and 51%.

A new president will be appointed this Sunday evening.

Who are the candidates?

In the order of favorites: Joan Laporta, Victor Font and Toni Freixa.

The first is best known for having already served as president of Barça (2003-2010).

A lawyer by training, the Catalan is the man of a golden period.

Under his tenure, the Blaugranas won two Champions Leagues (2006 and 2009).

Above all, they have developed a playing identity recognized by all to the rhythm of Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto'o then Xavi, Iniesta and Messi, under the orders of Rijkaard or Guardiola.

Laporta is today the big favorite of the election.

One figure shows it: he collected more than 10,000 signatures in order to validate his candidacy.

A record in the history of Barça.

Victor Font follows in the polls.

Aged 48, he is the candidate of Xavi, historical figure of the Blaugranas.

He involves with him many personalities, including Rafael Nadal's uncle, Toni.

A respected businessman, he is arguably the quietest, but he appears to be a credible alternative to Joan Laporta.

Finally, Toni Freixa is the third thief.

He served as general secretary of the management and spokesperson for the club between 2010 and 2015. During the campaign, Freixa, a 52-year-old lawyer, tried to stand out with the most striking statements, such as around of the future transfer window of the club.

What are the issues ?

Barça is going through a major institutional crisis in recent months.

The "Barçagate" affair, which led to police custody of former president Josep Bartomeu this week, has weakened the club's image.

In addition, finances are in the red and revenues at half mast.

Debt reduction and lower wages await the next president.

All accompanied by an undeniable sporting decline, as shown by the rout suffered against PSG in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League (4-1) or those of previous seasons against Liverpool or AS Rome.

The great Barça, winner of four C1 between 2006 and 2015, has disappeared.

A new one must emerge with the current financial constraints.

A personality emerges: Lionel Messi.

How to manage the rest of the career of the best player in the history of the club and, for many, of football?

"If I am not elected, I am sure that Leo Messi will not stay," said Laporta during the last presidential debate, tackling the cold relations between the Argentine and his competitor Toni Freixa.

The latter, him, promised that the arrival of two “cracks” like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé was “possible”.

The French world champion does not, however, hide in private having put the Catalan track on hold, in particular because of his sporting downgrade.

As for Victor Font, he wants to embody a new era, with a very detailed presidential program.

Maybe what can help him to reverse the polls.

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2021-03-06

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