Former president Gaspart linked to Ingla

Catalan weekly paper El Triangle claims that former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart supports the candidacy of Barcelona presidential candidate Marc Ingla in the upcoming presidential elections.

The paper bases their claim on the fact that seven hotels - six in the city Barcelona and one in the Catalan province of Girona - of hotel chain Husa that is owned by Gaspart are places where club members can go and deposit their signature of support for Ingla.

Asked about his position in the elections, Gaspart said in an interview with Catalan radio station Ona FM that he doesn't plan to give his support to a candidate: "Josep Lluís Núñez has every right to give his signature of support to Sandro Rosell, but I won't support any candidate."

Read more:
The Quote: Joan Gaspart
Former president Nunez will support Rosell
Spanair board divided on Soriano candidacy

Spanair board divided on Soriano candidacy

Spanish news agency EFE claims that the board of directors of Spanish airline Spanair is divided on a possible participation of Spanair chairman and former Barcelona economic vice-president Ferran Soriano in the elections for president of FC Barcelona later this year.

In general lines, Soriano would have the support of the institutional shareholders, some of whom would also want to have the company's name on the Barcelona shirt, while the private shareholders think the candidacy wouldn't be a good idea. One of the strongest opponents is said be former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart, the chairman of hotel group Husa.

On Friday 26 March, the next board meeting of Spanair is planned. Soriano doesn't need to have the approval of the board to run for president but a certain consensus would be desirable. Sources close to the shareholders would have said that there's a growing support for the candidacy of Soriano, who could combine the two position if he's elected.

According to some directors, the presidency of Soriano could also benefit Spanair because of the airline being linked with a brand known around the world. Those in favour of the candidacy would prefer Soriano to start with an own candidacy, which could then later be joined by - among others - the team of current Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall, who would be open for this option.

Read more:
Soriano to announce candidacy next month
Polls could lead to electoral pacts
Soriano preparing candidacy

The Quote: Joan Gaspart

"What went wrong when I was president, was that I was president. The ego and the human weaknesses made me take up a position for which I'm no good."


Joan Gaspart,
former Barcelona president

read more election quotes here

Another Rosell could take part in the elections

Catalan sports weekly paper Gol claims that Catalan businessman Joan Rosell might take part in the elections in June after former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart could have recommended to possible candidate Ferran Soriano to include Rosell in his candidacy.

Joan Rosell is a 62-year old businessman who is most known as the president of the 'Foment del Treball Nacional', the federation of Catalan employers. Rosell, who has in the past several times been rumoured to run for president himself, is also a board member of the club's foundation.

Read more:
All options are still open for Soriano
Masfurroll cautious about election involvement
The three areas and vice-presidents of Rosell

Could president Laporta become vice-president?

Speaking to Catalan radio station Catalunya Ràdio, former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has said that he has suggested to Barcelona president Joan Laporta that the latter could be part of a presidential candidacy in the upcoming elections as vice-president:

"What could be postive for the continuism - I told it to president Laporta but he didn't listen - is that Mr Godall or Mr Ferrer would be president and Mr Laporta vice-president. That would be a master move, machiavellian but masterly. But Mr Laporta apparently didn't follow my advice and has chosen for a political career."

In principle, the club statutes don't seem to forbid the mentioned option. The third point of Article 31, entitled 'Duration of term of office', read as follows: "The President of the Governing Board may hold office, consecutively, for a maximum of two terms. The other members of the board can be re-elected indefinitely."

And Article 38 of the statutes, that enumerates the conditions to be eligible as director, also doesn't put any obstacles if the president resigns at the right time, a few weeks before the elections (point f):

"a) To be an adult and not legally incapacitated.
b) To have been a Club member for a minimum of one year at the moment that the elections are called.
c) Not to be on suspended membership at the moment that the elections are called.
d) Not to have been associated to FC Barcelona as a player, trainer, member of the coaching staff or employee during the two years prior to the calling of elections.
e) Not to have been punished disciplinarily by the Club for a very serious infringement during the five years prior to the calling of elections.
f ) To have presented one's resignation and left the position before beginning Stage VI of the electoral procedure (presentation of candidacies) in the case of the aspiring candidate being a member of the Board of Directors or Management Commission that has called the elections and seeks to present oneself for re-election.
g) To be included in the current Electoral Roll."

Read more:
Who is eligible as president?
The five vice-presidents of Godall
When will the next president take office?

The Quote: Joan Gaspart

"The elections are a matter of two. The group of six candidates will be reduced to two, maximum three."


Joan Gaspart,
former Barcelona president

read more election quotes here

The Pundit: Oriol Domenech on the next president

« From a club that gave the presidency to Joan Gaspart one can expect everything. »

Oriol Domènech,
El Mundo Deportivo

check more pundit talk

The Quote: Joan Gaspart

"Mister Laporta shouldn't appoint a successor because that won't work. The club members of Barça won't accept a heir."

Joan Gaspart,
former Barcelona president (2000-2003)

read more election quotes here