Joan Laporta has been re-elected as Barcelona president for the next five years after beating Victor Font in Sunday’s election.
Laporta cruised to victory in the end, obtaining 32,934 of the 48,480 votes from the club’s members (socios), while Font received 14,385 votes, 984 were left blank, and 177 were declared void.
“First of all, I want to dedicate a few words of gratitude to this wonderful club we have,” Laporta said after his victory was ratified to the backdrop of chants of ‘president.’
“It’s great to see that members can still choose who represents us. This passion is a joy, it makes the club special, so thanks to Barça and all the members that voted today in a display of democracy.”
The total number of votes cast represented a turnout of 42.34%, Barça said, with 114,504 members eligible to take part in the election.
Current and former presidents, coaches, and players were among those to cast their ballot at Spotify Camp Nou, including Hansi Flick and members of the men’s first team squad.
“The result itself is conclusive, and it gives us a lot of strength — so much strength that it will make us unstoppable,” Laporta added. “We will keep defending Barcelona against everything and everyone. The upcoming years will be thrilling. They will be the best of our lives.”
Sunday’s election coincided with Barça’s 5-2 win over Sevilla in LaLiga, with coach Flick and many players, including Raphinha, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, submitting their votes after the victory.
“I won’t tell you who [I will vote for] because it’s a secret,” Flick said in a news conference shortly before voting. “It’s a special day. I saw it on the television in my office in the stadium, the election going on, it’s special. I think also everyone is happy, it was a great day.”
