Weekly Round-Up (26): Four days to the vote

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

The process of electing the next president of FC Barcelona has entered its final week with the four candidates – Jaume Ferrer, Sandro Rosell, Marc Ingla, and Agusti Benedito – expected to take part in a series of debates organised by the Catalan media.

The first presidential debate, which was covered live by the blog, took place on Tuesday, and will have its follow up event today, June 10, at 22:30, under the sponsorship of Catalan television channel 8tv.

The campaign period will wrap up on Saturday, June 11, followed by a day of reflection on June 12 during which no election related activities will be allowed, and will culminate in the holding of the final vote on Sunday, 13 June, at the Camp Nou grounds.

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Weekly Round-Up (25): The Final Four

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

The collection of 2,095 signatures of support needed by the candidates to qualify them for the final vote on June 13 ended on Tuesday with four out of seven candidates beating the deadline.

Sandro Rosell delivered an impressive 13,618 signatures, followed by Marc Ingla with 4,744, Jaume Ferrer with 4.442, and Agusti Benedito with 2896. Pre-candidates Santiago Salvat, Jaume Guixa and Alexis Plaza failed to present their support slips and are considered dropped from the race.

Earlier reports indicated that Rosell completed the required 2,095 signatures days ahead of the June 1 deadline. Rosell earlier requested the board to allow him to use his nickname “Sandro” instead of his given name “Alexandre” which is printed on the support slips, but his appeal was rejected by the electoral board.

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Weekly Round-Up (24): Countdown to June 13

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

The collection of signatures needed to qualify the candidates for the final list that would stand for election on June 13 officially began on Monday, 17 May.

The candidates, among them Sandro Rosell, Marc Ingla and Jaume Ferrer, trooped to the the Camp Nou to get the official support forms that would be used to secure the 2,095 signatures of the club members which the club statutes mandate as a prerequisite for candidacy. The signatures of support will be presented to the Electoral Commission for validation not later than May 25.

Candidates who will make the cut and would have satisfied all the other electoral requirements will be included in the final list of candidates to be announced on 3 June.

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Weekly Round-Up (23): Who will succeed Laporta?

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

The club’s board of directors has officially called the elections for Barcelona president to be held on 13 June 2010 at the Camp Nou. The board has, in the exercise of its mandate, also set the electoral calendar and agreed on the proceedings that would be followed in the conduct of the elections.

As of May 20, the confirmed candidates are Jaume Ferrer, Sandro Rosell, Marc Ingla, Agusti Benedito, Jaume Guixa, Salvador Salvat, Alexis Plaza, and Francesc Mañe.

The qualified list of candidates, or those that have satisfied the conditions for candidacy and made the signature’s cut, will be announced on 3 June, ten days before the actual vote.

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Weekly Round-up (22): Cruyff. Catalonia. Unicef.

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes that the cornerstones of Barcelona’s success are Johan Cruyff, Catalonia, and Unicef.

Laporta claims he has consistently defended the current model which he said is built on certain principles, in particular: ‘more than a club’ in the social area, the youth academy, and Cruyff in the sports area.

He also said, reportedly, that certain groups that were originally part of the project left because of their immaturity and inability to deal with pressure, claiming that those who remained at the club are the ones that stayed true to the project and can best ensure its continuity.

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Weekly Round-up (21): Transfer talk

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

Barcelona presidential candidate Sandro Rosell is reportedly concerned that the club could speed up transfer negotiations with targetted players to benefit the candidacy of board candidate Jaume Ferrer.

Reports have recently linked the Catalan club with Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas and Valencia striker David Villa, and it is claimed that Villa, in particular, could be presented before the presidential elections in June.

Rosell was quoted to have said that the rush to close deals could lead to the purchase of these players at inflated prices. He moreover claims that the correct transfer fee for Villa would be between 25 -30 million euro, significantly less than the 40 million reportedly agreed upon with Valencia.

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Weekly Round-Up (20): Villa could be presented

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.

Catalan media are abuzz with speculations that significant signings could take place ahead of the June 13 elections for Barcelona president.

More specifically, sources have claimed that Valencia star striker David Villa could be presented before the end of Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s term in June and that reportedly, a principal agreement (with a 30 million euro price tag) has been reached between Barcelona and Valencia representatives during a meeting held last week.

The move to get Villa (and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas) to ink a deal before election day has been linked in recent weeks to Laporta’s alleged plan to block presidential candidate Sandro Rosell from announcing signings to boost his candidacy.

Rosell and bitter rival Laporta are also currently tangled up in controversy over former Barcelona player Ronaldinho after Laporta claimed in a recently published book that Rosell tried to convince him to sell the twice named World Player of the Year to English side Chelsea so they could cash in on a 10% commission that reportedly came with the 100 million deal. Both Rosell and Chelsea have denied the claims and are said to be preparing legal action against Laporta.

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Weekly Round-Up (19): Casting shadows

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


As reported by the blog last week, presidential candidate Sandro Rosell is currently fighting claims he had maneuvered the sale of former Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho to English club Chelsea in 2004, a deal reportedly worth 100 million euro to the Catalan club and a 10% commission to himself.

Presidential candidate Jaume Guixa is now asking Rosell and Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who made the allegations in his book “Un somni per als meus fills” ( A dream for my sons), to clarify their involvement in the aborted sale, claiming that “no candidate for the presidency should enter the electoral race with doubts on his reputation”.

It is speculated that Laporta’s revelations in his book could only be the tip of the iceberg and that reportedly, a “bomb” is being prepared by Rosell’s opponents that could force the poll front runner to withdraw his campaign for the presidency.

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Weekly Round-Up (17): Man of the hour

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


Barcelona assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer is the new board continuity candidate, replacing vice-president Alfons Godall, whose candidacy was initially supported and endorsed by Barcelona president Joan Laporta.

In what appears to be the latest fallout from last week’s events, Godall has announced that he is withdrawing as a candidate in the Barcelona presidential elections. Godall,who earlier claimed he would continue with his candidacy, said in his formal statement of withdrawal that the many challenges facing the club needed “new people and new ideas”: “I’ve always been in favour of joining forces and overcome old disputes, because projects are more important than people, and above all that is our beloved FC Barcelona.”

His statements would have been made in obvious reference to the board’s objection to a unity pact with the group of former Barcelona economic vice-president Ferran Soriano with whom Godall has reportedly held talks in an attempt to put together a unified candidacy.

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Weekly Round-Up (15): A Third Way

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog, written by Xaviniesta, is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


Former Barcelona sports vice-president and presidential candidate Sandro Rosell reportedly wants to continue collaboration with UNICEF, a charitable initiative started by the board of Joan Laporta that allows Barcelona players to sport the UNICEF logo on their shirts.

Rosell, who has not revealed any detail of his project but claims he will present it in May, has also reportedly closed a deal with Catalan tv host Andreu Buenafuente’s production outfit El Terrat to handle communications for his campaign.

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Weekly Round-Up (14): The Waiting Game

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


New candidates are reportedly getting ready to enter the race for Barcelona president although the claims are somewhat unclear on whether these would be part of or separate from the various projects that have been reported in recent weeks.

Possible candidacies repeatedly mentioned include those of Catalan journalist Xavier Bosch, who again claimed that he has been offered to head a ticket, and former Barcelona player Carles Rexach, whose Facebook challenge is reportedly gathering momentum. Catalan journalist Josep Maria Minguella also recently confirmed that his group is organizing primaries and could announce a concrete candidacy soon.

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Weekly Round-Up (12): Of Cesc And Men

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


The Barcelona presidential race is shaping up to be a contest of wills, personalities and issues, and also, quite predictably, of which candidate would most credibly promise to bring back into the Barcelona fold its prodigal son and former La Masia poster boy, Francesc “Cesc” Fabregas.

In the latest media frenzy involving the Arsenal midfielder and captain, Barcelona president Joan Laporta is once again pitted against presidential candidate Sandro Rosell this time, in the race to sign Fabregas, with some reports claiming that Laporta intends to secure the player’s return before his term expires in June this year. Fabregas is said to be not aversed to the idea of returning to his boyhood club but would prefer to first resolve his situation with current employer, British club Arsenal.

The parties concerned have yet to confirm or deny the Fabregas rumour, with Sandro Rosell confining his recent media statements to an elaboration of his plans to give current Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola full responsibility over all sporting areas, including transfers and new signings.

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Weekly Round-Up (10): Fasten your seatbelts

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


The election for Barcelona president has an official date: Sunday, 13 June 2010.

This was announced by the club following a special meeting of its board of directors and after earlier statements by Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressing his preference for elections to be held at the end of the season.

Laporta explained that the date was chosen mainly for sporting reasons and in consultation with Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola and sports director Txiki Begiristain: “In that perspective, it’s the best option. This way, the election process won’t influence the team, which is what we have been looking for. We’ve tried for the sporting interests to be affected the least possible.”

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta also earlier said that he would prefer if elections are held at the end of the season to avoid distracting the team. Barcelona skipper Carles Puyol, on his part, assured that the players will remain focused regardless of any decision taken concerning the upcoming electoral exercise.

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Weekly Round-Up (7): The magic stick

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


After Friday's limited board meeting, Barcelona chief executive Joan Oliver said that the board is still trying to form one candidacy ahead of the upcoming presidential elections: "The will exists and it's an issue we're working on." The announcement came as a surprise after statements earlier in the week.

Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall had repeated that he only wants to negotiate without conditions: "A board cannot be a 'puzzle', you must have a united group that backs the president so he has enough room to maneuver in difficult times. A president cannot be the prisoner of his own board, he needs freedom to lead".

Barcelona institutional vice-president Albert Perrín, who supports his discreet colleague Jaume Ferrer, hit back quickly: "Godall is sectarian, he only wants to deal with certain people and we don't think that's logical".

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Weekly Round-Up (6): Laporta's brother

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


As time goes by, it becomes more and more clear that one single board candidacy is at this moment very unlikely, with the two board members who want to run for president, first vice-president Alfons Godall and assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer, having stated over the past days that it probably won't happen.

Ferrer, who feels backed by a poll carried out by his team, told in radio interviews that an agreement is difficult: "Alfons Godall is a good board colleague but I think it's complicated we would find a deal to have one single candidacy. The problem isn't who should lead the candidacy, it's about private issues, so I think it is difficult."

While some think it's a clash of egos, Godall suggested in an interview (part 1 - part 2) that Ferrer is asking to have some of his supporters in a next board, as Godall also hopes to get the support of current president Laporta: "I hope for the advice and the love of the friend who I got to know in 1968 when we met at the elementary school in Barcelona. Since then, we've loved each other as brothers."

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Weekly Round-Up (5): A Xavi New Year

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


First: we're on Facebook. Second: the struggle to become the continuity candidate really broke loose last Wednesday when assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer surprisingly declared on a radio show that he will be a presidential candidate: "Yes, I will run for president. I have the will and the desire to form a candidacy and to win the elections."

The vice-president, who would have the support of five other board members, reportedly wants to keep the same club model but introduce another style of governing and said he hadn't been able to find a deal with first vice-president Alfons Godall to present one unique board candidacy.

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Weekly Round-Up (4)

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


Few minutes after Barcelona won the sixth trophy of the year and became the best club team in the history of football, Barcelona president Joan Laporta declared the election campaign opened: "It's true that we have always said that after Abu Dhabi it would be a good moment to start talking about club projects. Who wants to make a step forward, can speak out when he thinks the time is right."

The day before, there had nevertheless been a false start when a report came out claiming that Barcelona assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer will certainly be a candidate in next year's elections and that he has the support of several board members, one of them being institutional vice-president Albert Perrín, who confirmed the news: "I have nothing to rectify about what has been published."

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Weekly Round-Up (3)

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


These are good times for polling agencies. The Barcelona board has ordered to carry out a poll among club members, which includes the evaluation of a series of current and former board members and gathers information about the approximately 40.000 club members who could vote for the first time next year. Sandro Rosell meanwhile held own polls that confirm that he is currently supported by over 50 per cent of the voters.

Another poll on the other hand indicates that club members think that Joan Laporta is being a good president. The president, who got praised by the world's best chef Ferran Adriá, also would have preferred to run again but is anyhow looking forward to an interesting campaign: "I'm curious to hear about the options that our opponents will bring to the table to challenge the sporting, economic and social model that has allowed us to live the best years in the history of the club."

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Weekly Round-Up (2)

Every week an overview of the posts from this blog is published on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


The most interesting news of the weeks was without any doubt that former Barcelona economic vice-president Ferran Soriano would have been meeting with Barcelona treasurer Xavier Sala i Martín in New York and with Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall in Barcelona. It's unclear what the outcome of the talks is but some think that our two crucial remaining questions (what will former Soriano do? and who will be the board candidate?) could get a joint answer.

Godall and Sala i Martín (cartoon) meanwhile continue to work on the candidacy that will be supported by current Barcelona president Joan Laporta. After it was last week rumoured that Barcelona director Magda Oranich could be promoted and become the first female vice-president in the history of the club, it has now been claimed that also Barcelona board secretary Josep Cubells could become a vice-president.

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Weekly Round-Up (1)

Starting today, we will from now on publish every week an overview of the posts from this blog on Barcelona news site totalBarca.


There are basically two crucial questions remaining before this election process can definitely lift off:

(1) what will former economic vice-president Ferran Soriano do?
(2) who will be the board candidate?

Ferran Soriano, who last week came out on top of a poll organized by probably the most popular Catalan Barcelona blog, still didn't pronounce on what his role will be in the elecions. It is nevertheless generally believed that he will not run himself but support another candidate, mainly because he's too busy with his job as chairman of an airline.

The board on the other hand has planned to start talking about their candidate after the World Cup for Clubs next month. Although Barcelona treasurer Xavier Sala i Martín still hasn't given up the possibility of leading a candidacy, first vice-president Alfons Godall would be in pole position. Former president Joan Gaspart meanwhile advised president Laporta to not publicly appoint a successor.

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