Josep Maria Bartomeu was declared the winner of the elections for the presidency of Barcelona on Saturday at Camp Nou. A total of 25,823 members, 54.63% of the voters, placed their confidence in the candidate who was the club's latest president. Joan Laporta finished second with 33.03% of the votes, Agustí Benedito third with 7.17% and Toni Freixa fourth with 3.7%. In total, 47,720 votes were cast, 43.12% of the electoral census of 109,637 members. The elections had the third-highest turnout in Barcelona history. Only '10 with 57,088 votes and '03 with 51,618 were greater (Barcelona). ESPN's Lee Roden reported Bartomeu has been "building steadily" toward this victory "from the moment he chose to call elections in January." Taking advantage of a "unique position among the candidates of actually being in power" before polls opened, his work "came to fruition with late but perfect timing, as he pulled off a flurry of high-profile contract renewals like those of manager Luis Enrique and right-back Dani Alves in his final few days in office." Laporta's campaign, on the other hand, "has often felt improvised." The "last of the four aspirants to officially join the race," his tardiness "may ultimately have been his downfall: the former lawyer often appeared to be relying more on his charisma than on substance." The result of the election suggests that the contemporary Barça is less "més que un club" and "more another club among others, with finances trumping social and political issues in the list of voters' priorities." Laporta's campaign placed a "great deal of focus on rejecting the presence of Qatar as shirt sponsor," while Bartomeu argued that it was the "most viable option financially." The release of a club audit on July 15 which revealed a €15M profit from '14-15 helped him "get that message across." Now "fully endorsed by club members at the polls, Bartomeu has the mandate to push forward with flagship programs" like the €600M ($650.2M) reform of the Camp Nou (ESPN, 7/18).
PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENTS: In Barcelona, Juan Manuel Díaz reported in June, Bartomeu presented the group of men and women that would form the club's board if he was elected. The 15 members are Jordi Cardoner, Carles Vilarrubí, Jordi Mestre, Manel Arroyo, Jordi Moix, Susana Monje, Javier Bordas, Jordi Monés, Enrique Tombas, Dídac Lee, Silvio Elías, Pau Vilanova, Oriol Tomás, Maria Teixidor and Emili Rousaud (SPORT, 7/18). SPORT reported Bartomeu said that he will name the club's new sporting director on Monday (SPORT, 7/19). SPORT reported in a separate piece Gerard López will take over as coach of Barça B. López played for the club during the '96-97 season and from '00-05 (SPORT, 7/19).
'WE'LL SWEAT BLOOD AND TEARS': In Madrid, Ramiro Aldunate reported Bartomeu explained that he is going to "try and live up to expectations and pay back club members for their faith in him." The "main focus" of Bartomeu's speech was highlighting the importance of "continuing to develop and win." Bartomeu: "We'll work hard and sweat blood and tears for our colors just like Puyol, Xavi, Abidal and Messi have always done to ensure that, in terms of silverware, playing style, revenue and values, we remain the biggest club in the world" (MARCA, 7/19).
LAPORTA SPEAKS OUT: In Madrid, Santi Giménez reported Laporta "remains firm" in the defense of the club model he based his campaign on. Laporta: "No surrender, never give up. We fought to avoid having a President caught up in legal proceedings, to avoid the destruction of La Masia and to rescue the club from the clutches of Qatar. We have to accept the result, but many, many members have voiced their opposition to the path that the club finds itself on. ... It's been a tough campaign, but it is what it is. We can't have any complaints. I'll be just like any other fan who keeps an eye on what goes on at the club but I'll continue to fight against what's happening to Barcelona. It's still very clear that there are two models" (AS, 7/18).
