Rosell wanted commission fee for sale Ronaldinho

In his book "Un somni per als meus fills" (A dream for my sons), that was published this week, Barcelona president Joan Laporta explains how presidential candidate Sandro Rosell - then sports vice-president - tried to convince him in the spring of 2004 to sell Barcelona player Ronaldinho:

"On 25 April 2004, the day we played against Madrid at the Bernabéu, he told me that Chelsea offered 100 millions for Ronaldinho. I told him to put it out of his head, that Ronnie was not for sale, that I didn't want to talk about the issue anymore, but he added: 'Jan, they give us a commission fee of 10%'.

A few weeks later, in May, Sandro mentioned the offer of Chelsea again. He insisted and said we could close it right there if me and him reached an agreement. I again reminded him that I didn't want to talk about it and that Ronaldinho wouldn't move from Barça.

Then he brought it up another time that if we accepted, they would give us 10 million euros which we could share between us. That attitude profoundly disappointed me."

Rosell yesterday made an official statement denying the story and saying that he could take the matter to court: "The report of the events in the book constitutes, because of its complete and absolute falseness, a serious attack on my honour and that is why I keep the option open to take the appropriate legal actions.

However, because of the respect I have for the presidency of FC Barcelona and since the defense of my honour is secondary to the interests of the club, I would only start those mentioned legal proceedings once the sports season and the electoral process have come to an end."

Read more:
Laporta wanted to replace Rosell by Cruyff
Rosell writing second book
Soriano scoring in Japan with management book

Who are the people behind Jaume Ferrer?

On his profile page on social networking site Facebook, Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall has explained why he doesn't understand the support of Barcelona president Joan Laporta for assets vice-president and presidential candidate Jaume Ferrer:

"Ferrer is driven by three engines. The entourage of the sons of former Catalan president Pujol [note: jordi puyol - picture - was the president of the catalan government from 1980 until 2003], the former director and former brother-in-law of the president [note: alejandro echevarría, click the "echevarria" tag below to know more] and the current board members who couldn't accept being left aside by my candidacy. The first two engines are clearly anti-laporta, respectively for political and personal reasons."

Read more:
Ferrer denies support former brother-in-law Laporta
Barcagate: The Ferrer report
Godall doesn't believe in Ferrer-Rosell duel

Benedito: "Guardiola will stay for many more years"

Barcelona presidential candidate Agustí Benedito gave an interview to Catalan local radio station Radio Cabrera and Catalan online sports paper Yoya.


Your project wants to continue with the current model or break with it?
The project of 2003, if updated and renewed, is still very valid and I think that the majority of the club members agree with this. It's about making sure that the rest of the club is on par with the sporting results of the football team, which isn't the case at this moment. After a lot of years inside and outside the club, you end up having your own ideas about how you would like Barça to be, and you see that this is shared by many people. Because of all this and after it has become clear that the continuity project as well as the project of Rosell are different from our vision on the club, we decided to create this alternative.

Will you change something about the sports structure?
We have our own ideas, that include some modifications, but the final proposal should be agreed upon by Guardiola. But the sports area is surely the one we will touch least. In other areas there have to be more serious changes.

If you're elected as president, will you stop the co-operation with Guardiola if he would demand things that are not compatible with your ideas?
It is impossible that this would happen. I am convinced that Guardiola will not raise demands that go against the general interest of the club. We are anxious to talk with Guardiola so we can explain him our plan. I'm sure that we will find an agreement and that he will be with us for many more years.

Will you arrive at the final vote alone, that is without making a pact with anyone?
Of course. We had a hard time making the decision to start with a candidacy, it takes a lot effort, and not just financially. A pact is not a possibility for us because we are distanced from the other projects and I see no way we could fit together.

Why have you said in some media that you think the continuism has no chance to win?
After having spoken in person with over 1.400 club members, a number that allows you to have an idea of the state of mind of the fans, I have seen a large rejection of the continuism.

What will be the importance of the fan clubs in your project?
The fan clubs are the representatives of Barça in their region. They have presented us their "project for the 21st century", it is very interesting and it can be improved at some points.

Will you continue with UNICEF on the shirt or will you seek revenues through shirt sponsoring?
Barça is the most feared team on the pitch and we want it to be the most loved around the world. The collaboration with Unicef was a great decision but there is still a long way to go. We will maintain the collaboration and we will expand it. If we eventually would be forced to look for a sponsor, we are allowed to do this by the vote of the Assembly of 2003 or 2004, I do not remember it exactly, but I'm not at all in favour of seeking external sponsorship.

this was the first part of this interview. you can read the second part here.

Read more:
Benedito wants to be the third way
Logo and first campaign slogan Benedito revealed
Benedito: "Stadium shouldn't be visible from the moon"

interview: uri bruguera

The Pundit: Antonio Franco on weak points Laporta

« As a leader, Laporta has shown two weak points: he hasn't been able to keep his board team united nor to organize his succession in a proper way. »

Antonio Franco,
El Periódico

check more pundit talk

Poll result: Will Cruyff stay honorary president?

Do you think the new president will maintain Johan Cruyff as honorary president of Barça?

Yes 50%
No 50%

total votes: 3035
start date poll: 26 march 2010
poll method: internet, free participation
source: el mundo deportivo

check more election poll results here

Update on Ferrer-Benedito joint candidacy

I think it's time to tell you

that the reliable source inside the Benedito candidacy

who told this blog everything (but really everything...) about

the joint candidacy of Barcelona presidential candidates Jaume Ferrer and Agustí Benedito

was in fact...

this guy:

Businesswoman Susana Monje will be treasurer Rosell

Jordi Cardoner, member of the board team of Barcelona presidential candidate Sandro Rosell, has confirmed on his blog that Spanish businesswoman Susana Monje [picture, sitting on the right], who last month assisted a meeting the former sports-vice president had with Barcelona supporters, will become the club's treasurer if Rosell is elected as president in June (read more here).

Susana Monje is the 37-year old chief executive of the Essentium Group, a holding that includes companies that are active in several sectors, among which raw construction materials, renewable energy and real estate development. The group also sponsors Spanish third division club Toledo.

Read more:
Businesswoman could become treasurer Rosell
The three areas and vice-presidents of Rosell
Team member Rosell talking about their project