Laporta highlights Barcelona’s achievements and defends club against critics – ‘We’ve achieved Barça’s independence’ | OneFootball

Barcelona president Joan Laporta addressed the National Assembly ahead of the club elections scheduled for this spring, taking pride in the work done during his tenure.

Reflecting on critics who have doubted the club’s direction, he said, “There are wise men and prophets of doom who are happy to see Barça cornered.”

His words set the tone for the upcoming election campaign, signalling confidence in the progress achieved under his leadership.

Taking pride in the work

Opening his address with a review of the club’s overall improvement, Laporta declared, “We have returned Barça to where it deserved to be.

“You can take any indicator you want, and it’s clear that we’re much better off than we were four and a half years ago; it’s obvious.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to see it refers me to the saying that there is no one more blind than he who doesn’t want to see.

“We mustn’t heed the apocalyptic predictions of those who are neither here nor expected.

“We will defend Barça against everything and everyone. There were groups that were happy to see Barça cornered, but with our struggle, we have resisted.

“We have achieved Barça’s independence,” he said.

Celebrating the achievements

His words were delivered during a 32-minute speech at the Ordinary General Assembly, which, for the fourth year in a row, was held online despite prior promises for an in-person gathering.

Joan Laporta addressed the National Assembly. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Laporta remained undeterred, entering the assembly humming the Barça anthem and applauding.

Celebrating last season, which coincided with the club’s 125th anniversary, the president praised the team’s achievements.

“We won a treble in the way that best suited our style and in this I want to highlight Deco, Flick and all the recovery workers, doctors and trainers and also the players, who form an exemplary group.”

He then focused on the club’s financial stability, reassuring members of their central role.

“We’ve done everything we can to ensure that the members remain the owners of the club. We’ve taken measures to ensure you don’t have to dig deep into your pockets.

“The members will always decide the club’s future. Our regular results have returned to positive results, confirming the club’s recovery from the disastrous legacy it received.

“And that’s even more impressive, playing away from home due to the renovations to our stadium.

“This year, there are no exceptions from the auditors thanks to a titanic effort by the economic and sporting team, which has reduced the payroll to 54% of our income.”

Not bothered by the criticism

Responding to ongoing criticism about the club’s structure, Laporta stated, “I’ve been listening to doomsayers and know-it-alls for four and a half years saying that we’re going to turn the club into a public limited company.

“The facts refute this. Barça isn’t a company, it’s an institution. I want all of these people far away.

“We’re more than a club because we remain committed to Catalonia, democracy, and equality. We have to believe until the end, like Flick did with Araújo yesterday.”

Finally, the president turned to the return to the new stadium and its associated projects. Praising the agreement with Spotify, he said,

“This stadium is our collective dream that future generations will enjoy. We had the courage to push forward with this project at a difficult time.

“You will see it and experience it. I want to thank the club’s and City Council’s technical staff for their hard work.”

He concluded by asking for applause for those responsible for Espai Barça, especially Elena Fort, “who explained the process with the utmost transparency.”

Source: AS