THE chaos at Barcelona continues with a no confidence motion passed over president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Bartomeu has been heavily criticised by many of the club’s members and now faces a battle to keep his job.
A no confidence motion has been passed over Barcelona president Josep Maria BartomeuCredit: Reuters
Unlike most clubs, it is not possible to buy shares in Barcelona but instead fans can become members and vote on affairs and matters.
According to El Periodico, the required 16,521 signatures supporting a no confidence motion – 15 per cent of ‘socis’ – has been reached, triggering a vote.
However, some of these may be invalid and so they will be hoping to get as many as 18,000 to make absolutely sure the motion is passed.
It has been an almighty effort from the ‘Mes que un mocio’ [more than a motion] movement because signatures must be collected in person rather than electronically – with no matches to attend and the Covid-19 troubles.
Marc Duch, spokesman for the initiative, said: “We have a sufficient number of signatures and this morning we are receiving an avalanche. It is a real madness.”
This is only the fourth time Barca have tried to oust a president – but the third in 12 years.
The report adds that members plan to present the signatures to Barcelona this evening, allowing the club ten days to validate the ballots for members to vote on Bartomeu’s future.
When that does take place, a majority of two-thirds against Bartomeu – who is also facing corruption charges – is required to remove him from office.
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The Lionel Messi saga looks to have significantly angered vast numbers of fans.
Bartomeu and the board’s fallout with Messi led to the Argentine hero declaring his intention to leave the Nou Camp.
Manchester City were in pole position to sign him as fans protested outside the stadium to convince Messi to stay and the president to resign.
The club captain finally made a U-turn, agreeing to see out the remaining year on his contract.
But the whole situation did not go down well with supporters.
MESSI AFFAIR
Moreover, fans were already angry by the club’s disarray – both on and off the pitch.
An underwhelming season saw Barca lose their LaLiga crown to rivals Real Madrid and an embarrassing 8-2 Champions League exit to Bayern Munich.
Club finances are also in a mess with the Catalans strapped for cash.
That meant the entire squad – bar a few individuals – were put up for sale in order to raise funds to bring in new transfer targets, although new boss Ronald Koeman admitted no incomings are expected.
Ivan Rakitic has gone while they are desperate to push Luis Suarez – their third-highest goalscorer in history – out of the door, too.
The Lionel Messi saga angered many supporters because of the way Bartomeu handled the situationCredit: Reuters
Watch as furious Barcelona fans break into Nou Camp in support of Lionel Messi and demand president Bartomeu resign
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
