FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.07.2010 21:13

Rosell comments on early agreements

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The day after being invested as president of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell has spoken to the media about different issues and has answered several requests from the press for information.

After his institutional visits on Friday, Sandro Rosell spoke to the media in Sala París in his first conference as president of FC Barcelona, and was willing to answer whatever was asked.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, had presented the new sports organigram just before him, so he preferred strictly sporting issues to be left aside. However he did have good words to say abouthis new technical director Andoni Zubizarreta, saying “he generates the same confidence in me as he did as a player”.

Requalification of the Miniestadi

One issues that the new board had referred to in their manifesto was the requalification of the Miniestadi. The president said that this land "has not been sold … we know that the requalification has been signed, and that a plan has been partially approved, but it is not definitive. It is something we’d like to study again, and we’ll do that", said Rosell, who promised they would do what is best for Barça, and that "all parties will come out winning … we think we can make a proposal that the Council will be as happy or happier with than the current plan, and we insist that our intention is to defend Barça’s interests.”

Relations with Espanyol and other clubs

One of the new Board’s priorities is to establish institutional relations with Espanyol and to have a good understanding with their neighbours and other clubs. “We need to have a cordial and mutually respecting relationship with Espanyol” he insisted, and said that most of their fellow first division clubs had been in touch to congratulate him and welcome him to the throng.

Economic balance to be audited

As suggested in the first press conference given by the board, the club will be subjecting the accounts for the 2009/2010 season, which were presented to the Junta by Joan Laporta, to an audit. Rosell admitted there is some tension in this respect and that he is concerned about the increasing debt. “There has been a considerable increase, as we sensed, and we need to employ due diligence. We want to see what potential savings the auditors can come up with” he said, particularly in relation to some land in Sant Joan Despí, the purchase of land in Viladecans and the renewal of the contract with Mediapro.

Oliver to leave

The media also asked Rosell about the compensation that the outgoing board negotiated with corporate director general, Joan Oliver, which was over 850,000 euros. “We were surprised” he said. “It’s legal, but immoral.”.

Statute and Generalitat actions

Barça will be supporting the demonstration on July 10 at the Constituional Tribunal regarding the Statute for Catalunya. Sandro Rosell will be travelling to South Africa that day, and so the club will be represented by the vice president of the Social Area, Jordi Cardoner, and directors Jordi Moix and Pilar Guinovart.