FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta resigned Friday to pave the way for his re-election bid in club polls set for March 15, triggering an interim leadership shake-up amid criticisms over the mid-season timing.
The 63-year-old lawyer, in his second stint at the helm since 2021, stepped down alongside several board members to meet statutory requirements for candidacy, the club announced.
“Alongside Laporta, several members of the current board have also relinquished their posts to take part in the electoral process,” read an official statement.
Vice-president Rafael Yuste assumes interim duties until June 30, supported by a reconfigured board including Josep Cubells as vice-president and secretary, and Alfons Castro as treasurer.
“Now that these resignations have been formalized, the Board of Directors will continue to carry out its duties until the end of the current term, scheduled for 30 June, under a new configuration,” the club added.
The move adheres to Article 42.f of Barcelona’s statutes, mandating resignation for those seeking board seats. Elections, unusually called mid-campaign, follow a tight schedule: endorsement requests open February 15, candidacies due by March 2, campaigning from March 6-13, and voting at five sites across Catalonia and Andorra on March 15, with no postal option.
Aspirants need 2,321 member signatures to qualify. Confirmed challengers include former director Xavier Vilajoana, entrepreneur Joan CamprubÃ, financier Marc Ciria, and 2021 runner-up Victor Font.
Font, a vocal critic, vowed to retain coach Hansi Flick but oust sporting director Deco if victorious. He slammed the poll’s timing: “Font has criticized Laporta for the timing of the elections that usually take place at the end of the season to avoid possible distractions during the campaign.”
Laporta, who oversaw a La Liga title, Copa del Rey, and two Spanish Super Cups in his current term — building on prior successes including two Champions Leagues — is widely tipped for a third mandate despite the club’s financial woes.
