BREAKING: Joan Laporta Re-Elected As FC Barcelona President
Joan Laporta has pledged that FC Barcelona will be “unstoppable” after securing a fresh five-year mandate as the club’s president.
Joan Laporta, 63, won just over 68 per cent of the vote in the presidential election and will begin his new term on 1 July, the La Liga club confirmed on Sunday.
Laporta’s main challenger, Victor Font, secured close to 30 per cent of the votes, while the rest were declared void or invalid.
Laporta, who first took office in March 2021 for his current spell, had stepped down last month in line with club rules to contest the election again.
Reacting to the result, he described the victory as decisive.
“It makes us unstoppable,” he said. “No-one will stop us. Exciting years lie ahead. They will be the best of our lives.
“This is a wonderful club, where the members elect their president and their board of directors. A club unique in the world, truly extraordinary.”
Nearly 48,500 members took part in the vote, representing a turnout of 42.34 per cent. Laporta secured 32,934 votes, while the 53-year-old Font received 14,385.
Laporta first served as Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010, a period that included the appointment of Pep Guardiola as manager and the start of one of the club’s most successful eras.
In his victory speech, Laporta thanked members for what he called a “celebration of democracy and civic spirit”. He also promised that his new administration would continue to “defend Barca against everything and everyone”.
Looking ahead, he vowed to strengthen the first team and complete the redevelopment of the Camp Nou.
Barcelona have faced serious financial difficulties in recent years but returned to domestic dominance last season with a treble.
The Catalan side currently sit four points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Brazilian winger Raphinha scored a hat-trick in Sunday’s 5-2 victory over Sevilla FC.
Attention now turns to Europe, where Barcelona face Newcastle United on Wednesday in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie.
Teenager Lamine Yamal rescued a 1-1 draw in the first leg at St James’ Park with a 96th-minute penalty last week.
