Laporta Resigns: Catalan Giants Prepare for Presidential Elections

Joan Laporta has officially stepped down from his position as president of FC Barcelona, marking the commencement of the club’s electoral process. This resignation is a procedural requirement outlined in the club’s statutes, allowing Laporta to pursue re-election as he aims for a third distinct term at the helm of the Catalan club. The rule is designed to ensure a fair electoral environment, preventing the incumbent president from leveraging the club’s daily operations for campaign purposes during the electoral period.

In Laporta’s absence, the daily management of the club will remain in capable hands. A management commission has been formed to oversee club operations until the conclusion of the electoral polls. This interim body will be led by Rafa Yuste, a close ally of Laporta who has served as the sporting vice-president since the 2021 election victory. Yuste’s primary responsibility will be to maintain stability and impartiality as the club gears up for the critical vote scheduled for March 15.

Laporta enters the election as the frontrunner, though he will not be without competition. The pool of candidates has expanded to four, with Víctor Font once again emerging as the primary contender. Font, who finished as the runner-up to Laporta in the 2021 election, has spent the last five years promoting a platform focused on modernization and financial prudence, garnering 16,679 votes compared to Laporta’s 30,184.

Alongside Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubi have also declared their intention to run. However, formally announcing candidacy is just the first step; to secure a place on the ballot in March, each candidate must collect 2,321 valid signatures from club members in support of their run. This requirement often serves as a significant filter, narrowing the competition to those with authentic grassroots backing. In previous elections, several