Barcelona presidential candidate pushes Lionel Messi reunion plan and talks structural reform

Víctor Font is having one other go on the presidency of FC Barcelona, 5 years after shedding out to Joan Laporta. This time, he insists the problem is larger than personalities. In a latest interview, he sat all the way down to current his “Nosaltres” platform. The businessman from Granollers framed his candidacy as an try to vary how the membership is run at its core.

“I need to supply the members a distinct manner of managing the membership, removed from the ‘personalist’ mannequin that has prevailed because the Eighties,” Font mentioned. He argues that concentrating energy in a single workplace has repeatedly left Barça uncovered, financially and institutionally, and has steadily pushed members to the margins. His reply is a extra skilled construction with unbiased oversight and statutory reform aimed toward tightening controls.

Font is probably the most seen, however not solely, opponent to outgoing president Joan Laporta, who’s operating to turn into president once more. Laporta is broadly seen because the probably winner as issues stand.

The timing of Font’s remarks was delicate. Information had simply emerged {that a} membership member had filed a grievance with Spain’s Audiencia Nacional (a particular court docket) towards Laporta and several other executives, alleging monetary crimes. The membership reacted shortly, denying the accusations and dismissing them as baseless.

Font mentioned he didn’t know the content material of the grievance and wouldn’t speculate on it, however he didn’t miss the prospect to widen the main target. “Suspicion disappears in a short time in case you are clear,” he mentioned. Even so, he made clear he wouldn’t pursue court docket motion himself. “We belong to a state that has usually gone towards the pursuits of our beloved membership, and I consider the trail of trials, attorneys, and prosecutors doesn’t work.”

In the meantime, economist Xavier Sala i Martín, a long-time ally of Laporta and former membership treasurer, publicly prompt he suspected Font of being behind the grievance and challenged him to show in any other case. The temperature of the marketing campaign appears to be rising.

On soccer issues, Font named Hansi Flick as a precedence. He spoke of stability and belief from the sporting division, which he desires to reshape with figures reminiscent of Albert Puig, Carles Planchart, and Francesc Cos. Present sporting director Deco, he famous, has achieved a very good job below Laporta. That may very well be an instance, Font argued, of somebody the subsequent president retains, no matter who that president is. In keeping with him, the construction of the membership ought to exist past the president.

Font additionally outlined a broader govt framework, with distinct management within the sports activities, enterprise, and social departments. He set bold monetary targets, speaking about €1.6 billion in income and annual earnings between €150 and €200 million to chip away at a debt he locations at roughly €2.5 billion. Among the many tasks he desires to safeguard is the brand new Palau Blaugrana, the indoor area the place basketball and different sports activities are performed, which his crew estimates might price round €380 million and open in early 2030.

Season-ticket pricing got here up as effectively. Font promised there could be no improve and as a substitute proposed incentives for normal attendance. “We need to encourage members to attend matches. There can be no improve in season tickets, quite the opposite, they are going to pay much less,” he mentioned, floating reductions for many who attend at the very least 80 % of video games.

Font has as soon as once more, made Lionel Messi part of his marketing campaign. The candidate described him as “the one footballer who can resolve a match on his personal” and introduced a plan that stretches past a testimonial evening.

He desires Messi to turn into honorary president, a symbolic place as soon as held briefly by Johan Cruyff. Commercially, he envisions a joint Barça-Messi model with international attain, pointing to partnerships in different sports activities as proof of idea and suggesting the income potential might run into “a whole lot or hundreds of tens of millions.” There would even be conversations with Inter Miami CF, the place Messi is below contract.

Font spoke overtly about “a final dance” at Camp Nou as a participant for the GOAT, after all relying on Messi’s needs and the view of the teaching workers. He didn’t disguise the place he thinks accountability lies for the way the earlier departure unfolded. “The one manner Messi can say goodbye the best way he and Barça deserve is that if Laporta just isn’t governing from March 16 onwards,” he mentioned.

Laporta’s falling out with Messi has been an open secret for a very long time, stretching to when the Argentine left Barcelona in 2021 with Laporta as president.

Font confirmed that conversations have taken place. “Now we have spoken immediately with Messi. These are non-public conversations. No one ought to use Leo for electoral functions.”