Laporta: “The only risk to Barcelona’s current sporting project is Victor Font” | OneFootball

The presidential election campaign at Barcelona has officially begun, and the political tension around the club is already rising. 

Current president and candidate Joan Laporta has delivered a strong message aimed directly at rival candidate Victor Font, accusing him of harming the club’s image and putting its sporting project at risk.

Laporta did not hold back when speaking about comments recently made by Font regarding the Negreira case. 

He criticised his rival for what he believes are damaging statements about the club.

“Describing Barça as Victor Font has done has made him the mouthpiece of the worst smear campaign against Barça in its entire history, a campaign launched by the right-wing media and Real Madrid fans. 

“I demand that he apologise to all Barça fans. He cannot be allowed to describe Barça as he has done. It is unacceptable,” Laporta began.

Attack on Font

For Laporta, the election is not about choosing a new president but about protecting the direction the club has taken in recent years. 

He believes the current sporting structure has placed Barcelona on the right path and warned that a change in leadership could threaten that progress.

“The only risk to Barça’s current project, with a great team that everyone loves, is Victor Font. We are delighted with Hansi Flick and Barça fans are delighted with him. 

“And with Deco, maintaining the squad we have, which has been renewed until 2030. We are building the future, perhaps the past is represented by the other candidate.”

Laporta has launched an attack on Victor Font. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Laporta also criticised Font’s campaign strategy, accusing him of offering criticism rather than concrete ideas for the club’s future.

“I don’t see any proposals from him because he has devoted himself to demagoguery with lies and putting obstacles in the way. All he does is deny the evidence. 

“Barça fans don’t deserve what he is doing. He is dedicated to belittling the club’s executives and workers, who are the architects of the board’s successful decisions,” explained Laporta.

He did not stop

Font has previously suggested that Laporta represents the “Barcelona of the past.” 

Laporta strongly rejected that idea and insisted that his leadership has helped create the foundation for the club’s future.

“What we have done is a reality and is the future of Barça. It is La Masia, a sporting project that works. 

“We are talking about Flick on the bench and Deco in the offices, with players who have been trained at home and others who have come in and are performing well. 

“We have built the future of Barça. We are defending Barça from falling into the hands of people who are capable of destroying the successful trajectory of years gone by, of Guardiola’s Barça, of Rijkaard’s Barça.” 

As such, Laporta also confirmed that he will introduce five new faces to his board, namely, Carme Hortala, Xavier Barniol, Carles Ayats, Jaume Santiveri and Jaume Nicolas.

On the other hand, the likes of Maria Elena Fort, Antonio Escudero, Ferran Olive, Joan Soler, Xavier Puig, Miquel Camps, Aureli Camps, Xavier Barbany, Josep Maria Albert and Miquel Camps will remain.

Source: SPORT