Laporta crushes Font and will lead Barcelona until 2031 | OneFootball

Laporta crushed Font in Barcelona’s presidential election, taking 32,934 votes, 68.18 per cent, to secure a third term running to 2031. The verdict was emphatic.

According to Superdeporte, members chose continuity despite accusations from Font. No incumbent has ever lost re-election. If he serves the full term he will reach 17 years, behind only Josep Lluis Núñez.

Laporta dominated the polling day, arriving about two hours before Font to greet members and pose for photos with dignitaries. After the 5-2 win over Sevilla, players including Pedri and Raphinha joined him to vote and bounce in a huddle, a potent yet questionable image.

He more than doubled Font’s tally, and in historical terms only Núñez in 1997, with 76.3 per cent, polled higher. Turnout was 42.34 per cent, with a lower rate last seen in 1997 at 34.38, and bans on postal and online voting were felt.

Celebrations in a Camp Nou suite began before official confirmation after an evening poll signalled a landslide, cava flowed and the party was set to continue at Luz de Gas. Font’s camp were deflated.

Font had campaigned for a more modern, professional and less personalist Barça, but his support fell from 2021 as Laporta proved out of reach despite perceived flaws. His dominance survived opposition attacks, tensions with Xavi and Messi, a legal complaint and scrutiny of Alejandro Echevarría. From the first of July he returns to Arístides Maillol, with five more years of laportismo and completion of the Camp Nou in his sights.

Source: Superdeporte