Ex-Barcelona presidential candidate lashes out at Laporta administration, calls for elections in 2025

Victor Font, a former candidate for the presidency of FC Barcelona, has recently voiced strong criticism towards the current president, Joan Laporta, while also calling for elections in 2025.

Font highlights the inconsistency in leadership under Laporta, noting that in the three years he has held office, the club has already seen three sporting directors, three different coaches, and 30 signings.

“Three years in office, three sporting directors, three coaches, 30 signings of which only eight are in the squad,” said Font as quoted by SPORT. 

“We signed Olmo and we say that Gündo has left for sporting reasons. Why are we deceiving people?

“We ask the President to call elections in the summer of 2025. Thank you very much.”

Font expressed his frustration by questioning the truthfulness of the club’s communication, saying, “We talk about signing Olmo, but we claim that Gundogan left for sporting reasons. Why are we deceiving people?” 

Questionable transfer market

Font also pointed out that despite claims about interest in the Joaos, no concrete action has been taken. Additionally, there has been mixed messaging regarding Nico Williams, with some statements hinting at a possible signing and others denying any interest.

“We say that Flick is interested in the Joaos, and we don’t sign them. We say in the first person that we can sign Nico Williams and we say that we can’t talk about players from another club.”

Font’s criticism extends beyond player transfers. He expressed deep concerns about the dwindling effectiveness of the club’s board of directors.

He noted that there are fewer and fewer capable individuals in the management team, leading to broken promises and unfulfilled expectations.

“I trust in the mandate of this board of directors. There are fewer and fewer effective people on the club’s board of directors. When you talk about management, it ends up as a propaganda story, with promises that are not kept. 

“All of this is unacceptable because if we want to demand anything as culés, it is to be told the truth.”

Barcelona are still weak financially

Financially, Font does not believe that the club has been “saved,” despite claims from the current leadership. He explained that Barcelona is still dealing with a significant debt of €1.3 billion and pointed out that the club’s financial recovery is far from over.

He also mentioned the issue with Barça Studios, stating that the management team in charge of this sector remains unknown, and it is unclear how the club plans to generate profits from it.

Font stressed the need for transparency regarding the club’s financial situation, especially given the fact that Barcelona still has to repay €1.2 billion in debt.

“We have often been told that we have left behind the worst economic period of the club. I, on the other hand, want to be educational. This is not an opinion of an opponent, but to be clear. 

“We cannot say that the club has been saved financially if we do not achieve two things: resolve the issue of the quota of Barça Studios and show the Barcelona fans that the club can be sustainable again with a debt of €1.3 billion.”

The handling of sponsorship deals also came under scrutiny. Font pointed out that the club did not sign a potentially lucrative deal with Nike in May, suggesting that this decision was poorly communicated to the fans and partners.

He criticised the lack of clear explanations from the management regarding such decisions, which he believes has led to frustration among the club’s supporters.

“In this economic context, we can say that we did not sign the agreement with Nike in May, which was a very good agreement because we did not want to. This is taking the piss out of our partners,” he noted.

Injuries made registrations possible

Font also touched on the recent signings of Dani Olmo and Inigo Martinez, claiming that they might not have been registered without the injuries to key players like Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo.

He suggested that the club’s management has struggled to find creative ways to deal with financial constraints, often leaving important decisions until the last minute. This approach, according to Font, has caused unnecessary complications.

“Not having the ability to manage the club and not generating more income, or signing Nike, has kept us blocked, and no one has explained it to us. 

“As we have been registering at the last minute for two years, we have become accustomed to it. If there had not been exceptional rules like the ones there are, we would not have registered anyone. 

“What would have happened if Christensen or Araújo had not been injured? Socially and institutionally it goes beyond… with a lack of transparency. Where is the statutory reform?”

Relationship with Laporta

In his final remarks, Font expressed frustration over his inability to communicate with Laporta, saying that the current administration has adopted a “with me or against me” mentality, which has hindered constructive dialogue.

“Nothing has changed and it’s sad. The policy of being with me and against me doesn’t help in a club where there are members and we have been at the club’s disposal from day one.”

He also criticised the club’s handling of Gundogan’s departure, claiming that the fans were not given the full truth about the situation.

“With the Gundogan case, everything I’ve said is happening. He’s the star signing of last year and when the pre-season starts he says he’s delighted with him. 

“Then they tell us it’s for sporting reasons and they’re paying him three months’ salary. The challenge we culés have now is to turn the page on the 2003 regime. 

“And to all this, we have to add all that talent that shares diagnosis and vision. Not the continuity of running the club as if it were a family.”

Font urged for a change in how the club is managed, suggesting that it should no longer be run like a family business but rather in a more transparent and professional manner.

“With Nico Williams, I saw that they were deceiving us and there were voluntaristic interests. When I said at that time that we couldn’t, they didn’t believe me. 

“They believe the story of the club. Now it will happen like the story of the shepherd and the sheep, that now the people will no longer go. Nobody believes the club,” he added.

On other issues

Font voiced his concerns about the club’s current financial and management issues. He specifically referenced Deco, the current sporting director, saying,

“Poor Deco. In the end, he did what he could under the poor financial circumstances he was allowed to manage.” 

He also highlighted how certain matters are not fully explained to fans or the public, using the signing of Vitor Roque as an example. He said:

“Things aren’t explained to us clearly, like with the case of Vitor Roque.

“These are two concrete examples, but the list is very long. Management errors, incomplete promises… Vitor Roque is signed and we are told that he is the best talent in Brazil. We paid €30 million plus variables with money we did not have.

“We need to be told the facts as they are. What happened afterwards? It is an economic and management disaster, and it is certainly better than the poor man thinks. We want to find out what is behind the management.”

Additionally, Font touched upon the situation with midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman has been dealing with an injury, and Font revealed that de Jong had expressed his reluctance to undergo surgery.

“I spoke with de Jong, and he told me he doesn’t want to have the operation. The club is recommending it, but they can’t guarantee success,” Font explained.

He emphasised how de Jong’s decision is difficult, especially given that the club has a small squad and will need him back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Font acknowledged that de Jong’s situation is complex due to the pressure he faces as a professional footballer, but he also suggested that the club’s management needs to handle these matters better.