April 14 – Barcelona, the world’s richest club, have been plunged into an internal crisis after six board members, including two vice-presidents, resigned in protest at how the club is being run.
In a joint letter to Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu (pictured) and released to fans, they said they were concerned about the board’s ability to handle the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to a 70% players’ pay cut.
The six urged Bartomeu to call presidential elections and also voiced “displeasure” over the club’s hiring of a third party, I3 Ventures, earlier this year to monitor social media coverage of the club.
Bartomeu has denied accusations the company created fake social media accounts to smear potential future presidential candidates, as well as former and current players, whenever they expressed views that went against the club.
“We have arrived at this point because we cannot reverse the way the club is managed in the face of important challenges in the future, especially in the post-pandemic era,” said the letter.
In their statement published by Barcelona-based newspaper La Vanguardia, the six added they “must underscore our disappointment caused by the unfortunate social media incident, known as ‘Barcagate’, which we learned about through the media.”
“As our last act of service to the club, we recommend that elections are called as soon as circumstances permit so that the club can be managed in the best way possible and deal with the important challenges of the immediate future.”
In a counter-statement, Bartomeu branded the accusations of unethical practices “completely false” while Barca insisted the resignations were the result of a board reshuffle.
“This restructuring is designed so the board can see through the final spell of its mandate with maximum strength, so it can implement necessary measures to prepare the club for the future and overcome the consequences of the health crisis,” it said.
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