Boix will not choose between Godall and Ferrer

Asked about his role in the upcoming elections for president of FC Barcelona (read more here), Barcelona economic vice-president Joan Boix has said in interviews with Catalan radio stations Cataluny Ràdio, first, and RAC 1, later, that he will not actively take part in the campaign by joining the candidacy of Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall or that of Barcelona assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer:

"I'm friends with all my board colleagues and especially with the two candidates. I think both can be great presidents and that they have similar ideas. As a friend, I was at the presentation of Alfons and when Jaume will present his project and invites me, I will also be there.

In the first place, I'm disappointed, frustrated, call it the way you like, that we haven't been able to form one single board candidacy. Friendship is above everything, it's one of the most important values and that's why this is an uncomfortable situation for me. I never give up, I'm still fighting for a deal between the two because I see this as a personal failure.

Like the majority, I was a great campaigner for one candidacy because of the successful model we have put in place but it hasn't been possible until this moment. I still hope the lines are open but, although I'm not losing hope, I think it's very difficult.

At a personal level, I didn't yet decide what I will do. What is clear to me is that I will continue at the club until 30 June, side-by-side with my president until the end of the mandate, trying to continue with a correct management of the club and to organize exemplary and neutral elections.

After that, I could leave or, if I have the motivation and the new president thinks I can add something to his project in one way or another, I will look at the offer and make a decision. I'm not excluding anything."

Read more:
Position vice-president Joan Boix remains unclear
Boix could be the consensus board candidate
Godall officially confirms presidential candidacy

Cartoon 25: Sala preparing for election battle

Sala i Martín:
I'm afraid that it will be a very tough election campaign...

...that's why me and my jackets are already prepared.


(click the cartoon to enlarge)


by caye

source:
sport

check more election cartoons here

Abidal wants current directors to win elections

Asked about the upcoming presidential elections, Barcelona left back defender Eric Abidal has said in an interview with Catalan radio station Ona FM that in his opinion the current model should be continued by people who are now part of the board:

"We've done good things over the past 18 months and now we want to continue in the same way. So the club has to continue with the same people, right? It's a bit a matter of philosophy. I think that each member of this board has the same philosophy as the president.

For me it is better to continue in the same way and that someone is chosen who has stood the president and who has been travelling with us. It would be perfect if the president could continue because he knows the club, but the people who were with him do too.

Do the players talk about the election process? We do, because at this moment it's the most important club issue."

Read more:
Puyol and Iniesta on the elections
Iniesta prefers elections at the end of the season
Guardiola not worried about elections

The Pundit: Emilio Pérez de Rozas on election date

« If Godall comes out this early, that's because he knows the elections will be very soon, in other words, that they will be brought forward. Who knows, they might be in April. »

Emilio Pérez de Rozas,
Sport

check more pundit talk

Poll result: Can Laporta openly support Godall?

Do you think it's appropriate that Joan Laporta only supports the candidacy of Alfons Godall?

Yes 34%
No 66%

total votes: 4366
start date poll: 26 january 2010
poll method: internet, free participation
source: el mundo deportivo

check more election poll results here

Puyol and Iniesta on the elections

Barcelona players Carles Puyol and Andrés Iniesta talked about the upcoming elections for president of FC Barcelona during interviews with respectively Catalan newspapers La Vanguardia and Avui.

Puyol
"We are there to play. It's what we like. We know that there will be talk, but we have to be focused. I am sure that if we are doing good and win the games, people will talk more about football than about elections. The candidates want the best for Barcelona and we have to respect them and wait for the club member to decide."

Iniesta
"In general, the electoral process won't disturb the team a lot, but at a personal level there could be players who may be affected, because their name could be mentioned as outgoing transfer. If I could choose, I would prefer that the elections were held at the end of the season, so there won't be any distractions at all."

Read more:
Xavi and Puyol on the elections
Iniesta prefers elections at the end of the season
Iniesta and Xavi on the elections

Team member Rosell asks Godall to resign

Asked about some statements made by Barcelona treasurer Xavier Sala i Martín during the presentation of the candidacy of current first vice-president Alfons Godall on Monday (read more here), Jordi Cardoner (picture, on the left), who will be part of the board team of presidential candidate Sandro Rosell, has said in an interview with Catalan radio station RAC 1 that it would be more correct if Godall would resign as director:

"I might not agree with some statements made by the candidacy of Alfons Godall but what I cannot in any case accept as club member of Barça is that those are made from within the club. Mister Sala i Martín is representing the club at this moment and that kind of attacks are in that perspective not right.

If Alfons Godall has now declared himself a candidate in the elections, I suggest that, to maintain the equality between the candidates as well as the neutrality of the club, he resigns from his post, that he leaves the club and that he takes place among the other pre-candidates, like Sandro, who doesn't have responsibilities within the club and is therefore just a citizen with freedom of speech."

Read more:
Team member Rosell talking about their project
Rosell gives first interview ahead of elections
Candidates compete for future board members