Joan Laporta
Joan Laporta was on Sunday reelected as Barcelona president, defeating Victor Font to rule until 2031.
Laporte, a 63-year-old, will reclaim his position in July after resigning a few weeks ago as part of the electoral process.
According to the voting analysis, around 42 percent of Barcelona club members voted resulting to 48,480 votes. Laporta triumphed by 68.18 percent to Font’s 29.78 percent.
Speaking to journalists after the result was release, Laporte said, “This result makes us very happy and gives us a lot of strength, a lot, so much that it leaves us speechless.
“No one will stop us. I am sure that in the coming years, as I’ve said to you, we have some thrilling times ahead.”
Plans ahead
Laporta said the club would focus on completing the partially-rebuilt Camp Nou stadium, now slated for completion in 2027.
“(Club members) have voted for our proposal, which was that all of us together should defend Barca against everything and everyone,” he added.
He also thanked coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco, who helped the club win a domestic treble last season.
Laporta previously led the club between 2003-2010, in arguably Barcelona’s golden era, during which they won the treble with Pep Guardiola at the helm in 2009.
Reacting to the results, the defeated candidate, Font said he would like the election process to be modernised, allowing members who live far from Catalonia to vote without having to travel.
“The turnout is the most negative aspect of the day — we would have loved for it to be higher because we believe the club needs to be more participatory, as with voting by mail,” said Font.
“More participation means more strength.”
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