Joan Laporta has resigned as president of Barcelona but for merely a procedural reason, stepping down in order to pursue re-election later this year.
Laporta, who took office in March 2021 after winning 54 percent of the vote, steps down after nearly five years in charge in line with club statutes.
Vice-president Rafa Yuste will act as president for the next three and a half months, with Laporta’s departure coming days after Barcelona officially pulled out of the European Super League.
Lawyer Laporta is aiming to reclaim the role at the ballot box and return to office on 1 July. He is widely viewed as the favourite against long-time rival Victor Font.
Former club executive Xavier Vilajoana and economist Marc Ciria, making his first run in a Barcelona election, have also confirmed their intention to stand as candidates.Around 100,000 Barcelona members of legal age with at least one year of membership are eligible to vote.
Barcelona confirmed the election will again be held across multiple venues, a decision designed to increase the turnout. Polling stations will be located at the club’s facilities, in the three other Catalan provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, and in Andorra la Vella.
The club said postal voting will not be permitted, despite requests from opposition candidates.”This was implemented on an exceptional basis in the 2021 elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Barcelona said in a statement.