Most read of the month

these were the five most read blog posts during the past month of april:


1.
Villa to be presented before the elections

2.
Laporta blocks transfer plans Rosell

3.
Rosell wanted commission fee for sale Ronaldinho

4.
Rosell could withdraw his candidacy

5.
Alexis Plaza presents his candidacy for president

Check the most read blog posts of:
October
November
December
January
February
March

The Quote: Sandro Rosell

"They have put detectives on me and I have been shadowed."


Sandro Rosell,
Barcelona presidential candidate

read more election quotes here

The Pic: The bus of Benedito

The campaign bus of Barcelona presidential candidate Agustí Benedito made this evening its first public ride in the surroundings of the Camp Nou ahead of the league game against Tenerife. Tomorrow the bus will be offially presented.

Salvat officially presents his candidacy

Catalan businessman Santiago Salvat [picture, in the centre between his team members and fromer candidates jordi medina -left- and josep maria minguella -right-] has yesterday officially presented his candidacy for the presidency of FC Barcelona at the Olympic and Sports Museum in Barcelona:

"We participate to win and because we're the third way, those who can fill the space in the middle, something for which the club members are waiting. We are no extremists, we want to unite, we want a Barça that is of all of us. I represent the ignored club member, all those who have a lot to say but are not listened to.

We're the real third way because I know a lot of the others will end up making deals because they're all more of the same. We want to stay away from fights or egos. We have an innovative project and we're independent. We have total freedom: we are not dependent of any political or economic powers."

Read more:
Salvat presents basic ideas of election program
Medina will be vice-president Salvat
Salvat wants to help others to collect signatures

Ingla: "Barça should be reference of 21st century"

Barcelona presidential candidate Marc Ingla gave an interview to Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.


You're the last one to join the campaign. You feel comfortable with that?
I'm starting in a privileged position. I have a history of a strong but at the same time discreet leadership. In 2003, I made a step forward and dedicated myself almost full-time to turning the club around economically. Ferran Soriano took up the role of general director while I took care of the commercial operations and the results were good. The marketing revenues went from 20 millions to 100 millions. In 2007, president Laporta asked me to become sports vice-president and I successfully managed the transition from the model of Frank Rijkaard to the sports project of Pep Guardiola, that he later was able to shape further with his wisdom and with the Barça dna he has. I'm not a new guy in this race. It's true that I maybe start a little late, but not that much, and I have a very strong team.

Sandro Rosell is the candidate to beat?
I don't think so. Sandro has been preparing this for a long time, but so have we. We are prepared and motivated.

Doesn't it worry you that the bar lies very high?
It's a fact that we have just won six titles, but there are always opportunities at the sports, economic and social areas. We have some phenomenal assets that can help us to become during the second decade the reference club of the 21st century. We have this historical chance to build something starting from the things that differentiate us from other clubs like our way of playing. We have a clear philosophy that is different to obtain for other clubs, and that is something we need to guarantee.

What do you think about the appointment of Cruyff as president of honour?
We will not turn back decisions that have been made by other boards. It would be a mess. We need to respect it. Just as we have the Josep Lluís Núñez museum. I like the philosophy of Cruyff, our current style has essential elements from Cruyff and the Holland school. But we should try to stay away from focusing too much on individuals.

What is your idea about the sports structure? Guardiola will continue... And Txiki?
Pep will of course continue. He's a key person and all we want to do is help him. I worked very well together with Txiki during the transition from Rijkaard to Guardiola, we did a lot of outgoing and incoming transfers, we analyzed several coaches. I count on him for the future, but we will have to know what his wishes are.

Some names. Joan Oliver.
Our intention is that he doesn't stay at the club. He's a good professional but we think that at this moment we need another type of general director, one that's a bit more technical and more dynamic.

Jaume Ferrer.
He's a good person who did a good job as treasurer. He's friendly and honest.

Sandro Rosell.
I think that mister Rosell is very connected with the world of football and that he is strongly influenced by the Brazilian style and that of their national team. It's a samba model. You can live fantastic nights, but sometimes the hangovers last too long. As a whole I think it's another model that is not the same as that of the current Barça.

Joan Laporta.
The president has now the image of a star, like one of the other contenders in this electoral race. But if I should stick with something, I would say that he's a very good person.

What is your goal?
During this second decade, I want to turn Barça into the reference club of the 21st century. Also into the richest club in the world and that means that there are challenges ahead regarding the globalization of the club, in areas outside Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain. As for the sports area, there's also a clear line that is very well managed by Josep Guardiola.

You feel capable for the job?
In 2003 we came to save the club, in 2007, when I took up the sports vice-presidency, I did that with respect and things went well, and now I have the same feeling, of calmness, of experience and knowledge, because I know the club very well from the inside, I know the difficulties of negotiating television contracts or contracts with Nike, Unicef or the one of Guardiola. I'm at a level of experience that gives me the strength to offer the club members a project of success. My style is to act modestly and starting from this modesty I feel capable of leading Barça.

this was the second and last part of this interview. you can read the first part here.

Read more:
Ingla confirms that he will run for president
When will Rosell, Ferrer, Ingla and Salvat appear?
Godall confirms he is part of Ingla candidacy

interview: dagoberto escorcia

The Quote: Joan Laporta

"Cruyff. Catalunya. Unicef."


Joan Laporta, Barcelona president,
asked about the cornerstones of the current club model

read more election quotes here

The Pic: Godall and Ingla at dinner party

Barcelona presidential candidate Marc Ingla and Barcelona first vice-president Alfons Godall appeared together in public on Sunday evening during a dinner with Barcelona fans.

The Decalogue of Jaume Guixa (3)

Barcelona presidential candidate Jaume Guixà has published a "decalogue" in which he explains the ten key points of his election program.


8. With Jaume Guixà, the fan clubs will work independently

The fan clubs, Barcelona's backbone in the whole world, need more resources to act with autonomy
• The Advisory Council of the fan clubs will have a representative in the board.
• The Club will provide the Advisory Council and the presidents of the fan clubs with a permanent location.
• The budget for the fan clubs will be managed by the Advisory Council itself.
• The tickets for the fan clubs will be agreed with the Advisory Council.
• Three seats in the president's box for the invited fan clubs.
• The creation of the 'Nicolau Casaus Museum of the Fan clubs'.
• The Congress of the fan clubs will be at the same day as the Joan Gamper Trophy.
• The final of the international tournament of the fan clubs will be held at the Mini Estadi.
• The 'world meeting' of fan clubs, also in America, Africa and Asia.

9. With Jaume Guixà, you will enjoy the Players' Association

Enjoy the experience of the players who have helped to make the club bigger
• The social function of the Players' Association will be strengthened.
• Former Barcelona players will be present at and promote games in the country, among other activities.
• The Association will actively participate in the meetings of the fan clubs.

10. With Jaume Guixà, you will experience the FCB Foundation and culture more

We stand for a Barça that is socially plural, Catalan, victorious and exemplary in its civility
• We will give an example of sportsmanship and we will speak out against violence and discrimination.
• We will create youth academies in different countries, to help and educate the young people in need, through sports practice and sports ethics.
• FC Barcelona, ambassador of Catalonia in the world, committed to the future of Catalonia as a national community.
• We will stimulate cultural and artistic activities related to what FC Barcelona represents, and we will strengthen its travelling and international character.

this was the third and last part of this decalogue. you can read the first part here and the second part here.

Read more:
Guixa not considering pact with other candidacies
Three candidates take part in radio show
Guixa: "We want to help other Catalan clubs"

Do you speak Spanish or Catalan?

With less than six weeks before the elections, it is to be expected that the news will multiply rapidly in the coming days and weeks.

And since my time is limited, we are looking for some people who would like to give a hand every now and then during the decisive weeks of the campaign by translating some Spanish or Catalan texts to English. The time you're translating, I can write other stories for the blog.

Your task would be very clear, you don't have to look up anything, you don't have to write an original story, you'll get the information necesary and you can translate the text.

The time you invest in it is of course totally up to you (and it's anyhow only until 13 June), deadlines won't be tight (the most urgent texts I'll translate myself) and we'll help out with problems that could appear during translating.

You for sure shouldn't be perfect in those languages, none of them are my mother-tongue either. Let's say you should be able to understand Spanish and Catalan and be able to write a text in English that is readable.


If you are interested, you can put your email address in the comment section or mail us at:

barcaelections2010 [at] yahoo [dot] com


Thanks in advance!

Ingla: "We are the real continuity candidacy"

Barcelona presidential candidate Marc Ingla gave an interview to Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia.


What has made you decide to run for the presidency of Barcelona?
We had been working for several months on a project. I have felt very supported in this decision, that is at the same time individual and collective time and I have the strength to work hard and to present something different to the club member.

Like what?
Something different to what we have seen so far and something that seems a logical option. I promote the concept of a team, and under my leadership I will offer the member an option with maximum credibility, that guarantees the successful sports model we have.

Don't you think that there is very little to offer in that area?
Yes, the truth is that that's the case. The work done during those seven years has been very good, and now we are at a moment in which the sporting sensations are great, although we have this disappointment of not playing the Champions League final in Madrid: it would have been something unique but we have to accept it. Things are very positive and we want to strengthen it and give it as much continuity as possible.

Soriano, Vicens and even Godall are part of your team, which means this is another continuity candidacy.
I am convinced that our candidacy is the one with the most credibility regarding the continuity, althought that might seem strange because we are not in the club now. Godall is, he is first vice president, but both Alfons as Ferran and Albert have been key people of a good sports, economic and social club model. And all together we have set up this candidacy.

Isn't Godall a volatile traveling companion?
It is true that Alfons has been the right hand of president Laporta. I think that in most cases he has been able to lead and help the president to make the best choices. And it is also true that there has been a disagreement. But the purpose of our candidacy is to seek harmony, to somehow rebuild the small cracks that have existed between us, and it's a pleasure that together we have decided that it is me who carries the captain's armband, and I want to do it with my own style, which is a style of dialogue, consensus and peace. Under these circumstances, I feel very comfortable with Godall.

How does your program differ from that of Jaume Ferrer, now the board candidate?
Jaume Ferrer has also participated in this successful model that we have now, most years he has been the treasurer, and I think if we are righteous, the ones that have had more leadership and more key contributions to this project are people like Soriano, Godall and Vicens, especially in the institutional area. Jaume has also done a good job but I don't know his program and I have the feeling that he stands alone.

Well, he has the president by his side.
Yes, but the team that he is forming gives me the impression that he stands alone, or at least I myself feel in very good company.

Would you like to have the support of Laporta?
The truth is that that is something beyond my control. What I want is for him to have the best end of his mandate.

What is the rest of the team like?
We are about twenty people, it's a rather heterogeneous group, with a senior profile, people of my age, younger ones, in general all are entrepreneurs and what we will promote will be the Catalan values, but it will be an inclusive and plural catalanism. A certain economic liberalism, because we are all entrepreneurs, and the values of honesty and universality of Barça.

Will the elections be political?
I hope not. Our candidacy has several values and above all the value of independence of political, economic and media powers. We will be independent.

But you have talked with all political parties?
I have had contacts with leading figures from the political, social and media world to explain them our project.

this was the first part of this interview. you can read the second part here.

Read more:
Ingla confirms that he will run for president
When will Rosell, Ferrer, Ingla and Salvat appear?
Godall confirms he is part of Ingla candidacy

interview: dagoberto escorcia

The Quote: Evarist Murtra

"The bank guarantee injects the directors with the dangerous virus of wanting to be re-elected and ends up having a perverse effect. The director may be the captive of who helps him to get the guarantee, the bank, or if he can deposit it on his own, fall into the temptation of expecting to continue believing he is entitled because of having put down the guarantee."


Evarist Murtra,
former Barcelona board member (1993-1996 and 2005-2008)

read more election quotes here

[2003] Former agent Cruyff runs for president

source: el mundo deportivo, monday 4 may 2003, page 16

Michel Basilevitch will set up his election office today

He rules out a possible deal with Jaume Llauradó

Michel Basilevitch, back in the days the agent of Johan Cruyff, will today set up his election office in Barcelona. As advanced by this paper, Basilevitch believes to have enough appeal to get to the final vote and, as he has himself pointed out, he will under no circumstances make a deal with Jaume Llauradó.

After Josep Maria Minguella, Michel Basilevitch is the second football agent and intermediary who is trying to become the president of the club. His headquarters will be located in the office of a well-known lawyer.

check more 2003 election stories

Laporta: "We stayed true to the Cruyff philosophy"

Barcelona president Joan Laporta gave an interview to Spanish newspaper Público.


There are elections coming up at the club. In June, at least two, maybe three, candidacies that have a chance to win and that come from your board will face each other. Why did those colleagues left?
That's life. One thing is clear, I have maintained a consistent line and I have defended a model that was built on some principles: 'more than a club' in the social area, the youth academy and Cruyff in the sports area and to not spend more than we receive and to add value to the assets in the economic area. The group of Sandro Rosell, who were the first to leave, were victims of the crisis of growth because of their high level of immaturity. They are spoiled and resentful people. Later, we had a different situation when facing the most difficult moment, that of the vote of no confidence, when although having overcome a group of colleagues left because of the high pressure. I understand the majority of them because it's dificult to deal with the pressure. But Soriano, Murtra and Vicens took advantage of that situation to try to occupy my place and I ended up feeling that they betrayed me. I've always defended my people above all and I cannot understand that people whom I had defended fiercely abandoned the ship at a key moment. In any case, when Sandro and his people left they predicted the apocalypse and one should just look at the trophies we have won. And regarding the second group who left, the model has continued even more strongly and we have achieved the best season in the history of Barça, and there is more to come. Those who are there now have been consistent with the values and principles that define the current model of the club. We have managed to build the model, to resist the difficulties and to take the right decisions so that Barça continues to live the best period in its history.

And when you leave, you will be able to ensure the continuity?
My current board colleagues are those who can do that best because they have never showed any vanity and have always been faithful to the model, which isn't the case of those who have left, although - I repeat - the first group that left isn't the same as the second.

We have the candidacy of Rosell, possibly that of Marc Ingla, another former vice-president who could get the support of Soriano, and that of Jaume Ferrer, who you now see as your successor. Will your model be reviewed?
Everyone has chances of winning. I talk about the continuity of the model and that can only be guaranteed by the candidacy that includes a wide majority of the members of this board, those who have arrived at this point. I have not yet heard none of the two groups you talk about explain what they will do, say what is their alternative. Rosell gave up because he thought that the Cruyff model in terms of football and the management model weren't right. He questioned Begiristain and Rijkaard, who won two league titles and one Champions League and who passed on to Guardiola. The consistent line is the one I have headed. When we decided to appoint Guardiola as coach, Soriano and Ingla wanted Mourinho. We chose Guardiola because that decision was more consistent with the style we wanted and not because of a matter of record, as was defended by those who wanted Mourinho. I don't know what Ingla will do, but I think he should present another model, because they didn't believe in the current one, his model was that of Mourinho. And Rosell nor Ingla shared the idea of the Unicef sponsorship, that in my opinion has been a highly successful decision and excellent for the image of the club. They should explain us what they will do because we have now built a model that has led us to be recognized as the best club in the world and changing that would be foolhardy.

Appointing Guardiola has been the best decision you have taken?
The best sporting decision has been to stay true to the Cruyff philosophy. And that has led us to keep Txiki as sports director which is given his whole record the best sports decision I have taken until now. Based upon his advice we have made decisions like the one to appoint Pep Guardiola as coach, who is doing amazingly well and who if he continues like this will become the best decision of all. But the best teams need continuity and therefore we need to keep on winning.

And that is not too much pressure for Guardiola?
No. Guardiola and the players have the pressure that is usual at Barça. And we don't just talk about winning titles but about being the best. You can take away pressure from the coach and the players when you have a president who makes decisions, who faces up, takes the lead and deals with the difficulties. Our responsibility is to do everything possible to leave a footprint and to do that you need calmness. The next president will find the best Barça in history and that is why I want this model to continue. As a club member I want the club to continue on this path of success and in my opinion this is only guaranteed by my colleagues of the current board, who have been able to make the right decisions even if they were unpopular, who have been able to resist in the most difficult moments and who have served Barça with enthusiasm and responsibility.

this was the first part of this interview. you will be able to read the second part on this blog in the coming days with laporta looking back at his seven years in office.

Read more:
Ferrer doesn't want Laporta to campaign
New developments regarding Ronaldinho commission
Laporta not considering to return in the future

interview: josep carles rius - ferran casas

Plaza: "Young people are tired of fake promises"

Barcelona presidential candidate Alexis Plaza gave an interview to Polish Barcelona news site Fcbarca.


What makes you want to take part in the elections?
The club needs new people, we have been used to see the same names and faces for the last eight years. We also want to represent a part of the club that no one has ever cared about before - young people - because we are the present and future of FCB. The last presidency allowed a social division between the 'socios' who we want to unite. We also want to give to the 'socios' something they never had before: the opportunity to take part in all the important decisions. There are no first class or second class members, we are all the same! We believe in a universal club.

Why do you think that the profile, the projects of other candidates don't appeal to young people?
Young people are tired of fake promises and stereotypes, we are sons of a modern Barça, a leading club, the best team of the world. We have a broader view than others because we are used to this globalization era. We want a club that extends all over the world.

Barça has become an international club, there are many culés abroad. How do you want to cooperate with Barça fans and fan clubs from other countries?
The president should take more care of them or create a commission that travels to take care of all the fan clubs worldwide.

The 'Somni Blaugrana' project will include 21 people between 25 and 30 years old. Some people wonder if such young people are prepared enough to lead the club...
Some will think that we are young and inexperienced... They most surely were the same ones who thought Guardiola was also inexperienced... Before achieving six titles in his first campaign! I can say I have the best professional experience, and regarding the club: I have been a socio for 25 years. I am also surrounded by the best team of young entrepreneurs and professionals.

Would you continue with the model of a coach and a sports director?
It is important to have a sports director for every section in the club, this has to be a person that previously played in our team because his experience can be very useful to the club. We should evaluate who will be the next one. The role is a good link between the manager on the pitch and the board.

It is said that the Camp Nou needs some changes, for example there should be a roof over the stands. Are you in favour of the Foster project?
The 'socios' were never allowed to choose or vote for the Foster project. This is very antidemocratic. The stadium needs better accesses for handicapped people and after that we would consider what other changes can be done to improve the stadium. What we also believe is that 'the best club in the world deserves the best house in the world'.

Read more:
Alexis Plaza presents his candidacy for president
You have a question for Alexis Plaza?
Plaza wants shirt sponsor and internet voting

When will Rosell, Ferrer, Ingla and Salvat appear?

Barcelona presidential candidates Santiago Salvat, Jaume Ferrer and Marc Ingla are expected to present their projects in the coming days. Sandro Rosell would wait some more.


Salvat
Catalan businessman Santiago Salvat [picture] will present his candidacy tomorrow at 1 pm at the Olympic and Sports Museum in Barcelona.

Ferrer
Barcelona assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer will on Wednesday present his website, his campaign seat and his first slogan.

Ingla
Former Barcelona marketing and sports vice-president Marc Ingla will present his project and his campaign in the middle of next week.

Rosell
Former Barcelona sports vice-president Sandro Rosell had planned to present his project at his campaign seat on Wednesday 12 May in case Barcelona would have qualified for the Champions league final. The presentation could now be postponed until after the last league game.

Read more:
Salvat presents basic ideas of election program
Ingla preparing his election campaign
Plaza wants shirt sponsor and internet voting

sources: sport, efe, mundo deportivo

The Slogan: Marc Ingla

"More Barça than Ever"


'Més Barça que Mai' would become the main campaign slogan that will be used by Barcelona presidential candidate Marc Ingla ahead of the elections in June

read more election quotes here

Most read of the week

these were the three most read blog posts of the past week:


1.
Rosell worried about transfers of Cesc and Villa

2.
Plaza wants shirt sponsor and internet voting

3.
Benedito could limit number of club members