Barcelona Announces Presidential Elections Amid Ongoing Competitions

LaLiga champions FC Barcelona have scheduled elections for a new president on March 15, 2024.

Current president Joan Laporta’s five-year term is set to conclude later this year, although there was flexibility regarding the election date. The club elected to proceed with the earliest opportunity available, choosing March instead of extending the timeline to June, all while the team remains active in multiple competitions.

In addition to Laporta, who is seeking reelection, other candidates including Víctor Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubí have declared their intentions to run for the presidency. However, to secure a place on the ballot for the March 15 election, each candidate must obtain 2,321 signatures from club members endorsing their candidacy.

All four opposition candidates have voiced their concerns regarding the decision to hold the election during the active season. The chosen date, falling on a Sunday, coincides with the Champions League round of 16, where Barcelona aims to participate, as well as ongoing LaLiga and Copa del Rey competitions.

Sporting performance typically significantly influences voting among members. “It’s evident that the elections have been scheduled at a time convenient for Laporta,” stated Font, who came in second during the 2021 elections. “However, we anticipated elections during a Champions League match, so this does not surprise us. We are prepared for elections that will be crucial for Barcelona’s future.”

Laporta has asserted that the March date represents the most suitable option from both a sporting and institutional perspective. With the date confirmed, Laporta must resign by late February, allowing a management committee to oversee daily operations leading up to the elections.

Key topics expected to dominate discussions leading up to the elections include the club’s financial status, the redevelopment of Spotify Camp Nou—which is nearing completion—and the potential return of Lionel Messi to the club. Font has indicated that Messi would be his first call if elected, while Ciria has expressed that the Inter Miami forward “must come back” to the Catalan giants.

Laporta, who oversaw Messi’s departure from the club, is currently in his second non-consecutive term as president. His prior term lasted from 2003 to 2010, during which he won elections in 2003 and 2006, and he resumed leadership in 2021. Since returning, Barcelona has secured two LaLiga titles; however, the Champions League trophy has remained elusive since 2015. Meanwhile, the women’s team has enjoyed significant success, claiming five Liga F titles and three Champions League titles.