04.06.2009 13:19
Assembly of members’ representatives
David Puig
Joan Laporta has announced that the Assembly of members’ representatives will be held on 18th August. Speaking in a radio interview he also revealed that the Club intends to introduce online voting at the next elections.
The Assembly will be held to coincide with the Joan Gamper Trophy on 18th August. Two of the issues
that will be dealt with at the Assembly will be the budget for 2009/10 and a number of changes in
the Club statutes that are required by law.
Voting online
Joan Laporta explained in the radio interview that one of these changes will be the
possibility of voting via the internet at the next presidential elections: “It would be very
important to be able to vote via the internet as this would mean a new impulse in the modernization
of the Club. Different technical trials are being carried out and I hope it will be possible for
the next presidential elections”.
Opposed to financial guarantees
Another issue being considered by the Club is the possibility of abolishing the
financial guarantee that candidates to the presidency are currently obliged to provide in
compliance with Spanish law. Mr Laporta believes the law is discriminatory but at the same time
recognizes the difficultly of changing a law that applies throughout Spain: "It’s
discrimination on economic grounds. I know that it will be very difficult as first it would be
necessary to convince the Sports Council (Consejo Superior de Deportes). I’ve been told that
there are different committees in Parliament that are working to establish the rules for the
operation of professional sport and in particular football”.
Continuity
The next presidential elections will be held between March and May 2010. Mr Laporta
revealed that he will be supporting a candidate from the current Board who will provide continuity
to the existing policies of Club management: “Within the current Board there are some very
valid people who would make very good presidents of FC Barcelona. They have experience and a
coherent record. They’ve known how to act in difficult moments. I will support that
candidature as the best for Barça is to continue the current project”.