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Joan Laporta’s second presidency has not been as flourishing as the first, but much of it was due to the complicated financial situation he inherited from the previous board.
The new president has had to work hard to return the club to financial stability and, although they have not yet fully recovered from its effect, they have returned to the 1:1 rule in what is a huge step forward.
Despite his work, however, he has come under serious criticism for a variety of issues, from the Olmo registry saga to poor finances.
Laporta talks about criticism and work
In his recent interaction with the media, Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke about the work his board of directors has done in recent years, the criticism surrounding it and the recent calls for his resignation.
“Four years ago they gave us the confidence to lead the club and since then we have relied on four fundamental pillars.” -he began.
Describing the four pillars, he said:
“First, increase income. Secondly, reduce the wage bill, while ensuring that the team does not lose competitiveness.”
“Third, maintain the cooperative ownership model without compromising it. And fourth, ensure that members do not bear any additional financial burden during the recovery process.” he added.
Laporta then insisted that his board clarify the four objectives that were initially set and how that task was carried out.
“This was achieved, and it was not a coincidence, nor a coincidence, nor the result of individual decisions by the president, but the result of meticulous work.”
“From the beginning we developed a solid strategic plan, which is evaluated weekly by the club’s competent bodies.” he elaborated.
Praising his team for their dedication and hours of endless effort, he said:
“This success has also been achieved thanks to the talent, knowledge, intelligence and audacity of the club’s directors, who work with great efficiency.”
“We work and we work well, from the board of directors to the executives, including all the club’s employees, both men and women.” he added.
Regarding the role of the entire hierarchy of the club’s administration and the work carried out at all levels, he said:
“This achievement was achieved because, from the beginning, we had a clear strategic plan, which we continue to consolidate and fulfill.”
“It was reviewed weekly by the club’s control bodies, and by the managers who closely followed the implementation of this strategic plan.”
About obstacles and criticism
Speaking about the obstacles his team has had to face in recent weeks, Laporta revealed that he is not surprised and insisted that, overall, the world has largely been against Barcelona, especially at times when the team has done well.
“It is no coincidence that every time Barcelona returns to the forefront of world football, many parties, supported by various media outlets, seem to try to impose a shameful narrative that has nothing to do with reality.”
“They impose a narrative that has nothing to do with reality. This approach is repeated periodically and we know each other well. “Once again I am happy to be able to say that they did not achieve their objectives,” he insisted.
Speaking about how the club’s enemies failed in their aim to destabilize the board, the Barcelona president said:
“The others were not successful in their efforts, because the vast majority of Barcelona members understood that what was happening was an attack and an attempt to destabilize the club.”
“It was a new attack on the club’s emblem and, as we have always said, the Barcelona emblem should not be desecrated.”
Next, the Spanish businessman stated that his board would never allow the club’s shield to remain.
“We have made it clear on repeated occasions that any campaign aimed at tarnishing the club’s image will not prevent us from continuing to be a global reference in the world of sport, nor will it prevent Barça from being a club loved and admired by millions around the world.”
The president then addressed the criticism leveled at him in recent weeks, saying:
“Look, I’m quite used to receiving criticism, it’s become a normal part of my life. I am also used to dealing with behavior that goes beyond all moral rules and, to be honest, I have unfortunately adapted to this reality.”
“But what I cannot accept in any way is that they criticize me based on lies. This is unacceptable. “Nor can I allow these criticisms directed at me personally to be used as an excuse to attack the club or destabilize it.” he added.
Sending a message to those who hate the club, he said:
“Those who seek to destabilize us, whether from within or without, will have to work hard to bring us down. And they will have to work even harder if they hope to destabilize a club with a history of more than 125 years.”
About calls for resignation
In recent weeks, several of Laporta’s presidential rivals and former presidential candidates have come out to openly call for his resignation.
“I think they missed a golden opportunity to show that they love Barcelona and they didn’t take advantage of it. “They took the side of those who wanted to harm us and supported a media that was very hostile towards us.” Laporta said about his opponents.
He then criticized them for their double standards of not appreciating good work done but pouncing on errors beyond their control.
“Now that the club is starting to recover, we are on the right path, we have fixed the financial situation, we have achieved a 1:1 balance, we have started to build a new stadium, we have a competitive team, suddenly they are everywhere. “
“I don’t know where this opposition was when we were going through the most difficult times, but now everyone seems to be in a hurry.” he added.
Then he sent a strong message to those who stood against the club in these weeks of tension.
“I respect those who ask for my resignation, but does anyone think that the president of Barcelona could resign due to a decision by La Liga or the Spanish Federation?”
“Does anyone think that he could resign due to an administrative decision of these bodies? They should have at least known that we wouldn’t give up so easily, right? he added
Source: Mundo Deportivo
