Sports
Joan Laporta reelected Barcelona President until 2031
Joan Laporta has been reelected as president of Barcelona, defeating Victor Font to remain at the helm of the Catalan giants until 2031.
The 63-year-old, who previously beat Font in the 2021 election, will officially reclaim the position in July after resigning briefly as part of the electoral process.
About 42 percent of Barcelona club members voted, representing 48,480 ballots. Laporta secured a decisive 68.18 percent of the vote, while Font garnered 29.78 percent.
“This result makes us very happy and gives us a lot of strength, a lot, so much that it leaves us speechless,” Laporta told reporters. “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.”
The reelected president highlighted plans to complete the partially-rebuilt Camp Nou stadium, now scheduled for 2027, a year later than initially planned. He also pledged to continue defending the club against outside criticism. “(Club members) have voted for our proposal, which was that all of us together should defend Barca against everything and everyone,” Laporta added.
He expressed gratitude to coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco, whose leadership helped Barcelona achieve a domestic treble last season.
Laporta previously led the club from 2003 to 2010, a period marked by Barcelona’s golden era, including Pep Guardiola’s 2009 treble-winning season.
Several first-team players, along with Flick, cast their votes following Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Sevilla. Former midfielder Sergio Busquets, women’s football stars including Aitana Bonmati, and former coach Xavi Hernandez were also among the club members voting at booths set up across Catalonia and in Andorra.
Celebrations began even before the vote count, with Laporta dancing alongside players after the Camp Nou win.
During his prior and current tenures, Laporta has navigated Barcelona through financial crises, controversially selling future television rights and portions of the club to fund key signings such as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. Under his leadership, Barca won La Liga in 2023 and 2025 and returned to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2019.
Laporta has faced criticism for supporting the European Super League alongside Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez, a project that ultimately collapsed earlier this year.
Victor Font, the defeated candidate, called for modernization of the election process, suggesting voting options for members living far from Catalonia to increase participation. “More participation means more strength,” he said.
-
News1 day agoNigerian Army recover weapons, IEDs from gleeing Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi
-
News2 days agoChinese Miners are not the architects of Nigeria’s banditry A response to Farooq A. Kperogi’s “How Chinese Miners fuel Nigeria’s terrorist banditry”
-
Sports24 hours agoFIFA seeks explanation from VAR Official over controversial hand gesture at World Cup
-
News24 hours agoOyo declares Tuesday Work-Free Day to mark Hijrah 1448AH celebration
-
News1 day agoJust-In: Court adjourns El-Rufai’s trial to June 24
-
News24 hours agoKano 2027: Kwankwaso’s Son, Mustapha, named NDC Deputy Governorship candidate
-
News1 day agoADC unveils Atiku-Amaechi ticket, describes alliance as ‘Rescue Mission’
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Court orders INEC to deregister ADC, four other political parties








