Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been called out by presidential rivals over his decision to call elections before the end of the season.
Owned by its members, Barcelona vote in a new club president every five years, and this year will see fans witness another election. Laporta was sworn in back in 2021, and had to call an election before the end of June.
However, Laporta’s decision to hold the election on March 15 this year while the team is still competing in various competitions, including the Champions League round of 16, has raised eyebrows.
“The Board of Directors has agreed to call elections for the club presidency on Sunday 15 March 2026,” a statement read on the club’s official website earlier this week.
“In the coming days, and in accordance with the deadlines established in the FC Barcelona Statutes, the official call will be published, including the schedule and all details of the electoral process.”
Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona lifts the Spanish Super Cup following their side’s victory over Real Madrid. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Reacting to this, one of the presidential candidates Marc Ciria claim Laporta ‘doesn’t care’ about timing of elections.
Speaking with Spanish publicationSPORT, Ciria said: “We had already planned that Laporta was going to take advantage of any opportunistic moment to call the elections. We understand that the statutes provided for it, but the normal thing was to do it with the season over and with the different teams fighting for the titles not seen in this noise.”
Victor Fort who is also running for the post said: “It is obvious that these elections are called when it suits Laporta.” “He doesn’t care about holding elections in the middle of a Champions League tie. But we were already expecting it, we are not surprised. We are prepared. These are very important elections for the future of Barca. The time begins to return Barca to the members.
“Of course, if March 15 finally coincides with a match against Sevilla, we demand that on that day the match be exclusively for members and that tickets are at the minimum cost. Participation must be encouraged and those who do not have season tickets cannot be discriminated against.”
Another presidential candidate, Vilajoana, said of Laporta’s decision: “My team and I have been working for some time now, so we’re ready when the time comes.
“I would like the elections to be as participatory as possible, so that members can hear and compare as many proposals as possible, and so that the club provides every opportunity for members to have all the information they need to decide and choose the person they consider the best president for Barca.”
Laporta is running for re-election, while Victor Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana and Joan Camprubi have all announced their intention to run.
It’s been rumoured that Laporta decided to call the election for the earliest possible window with support for the 63-year-old currently at its highest.
Barcelona sit top of La Liga, recently beat rivals Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana final, and are expected to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League.
