F.C. Barcelona on Sunday elected Joan Laporta as its new president,
six days after a police raid on its offices led to the seizure of files and the arrests of four club officials due to Barcagate
allegations.
Laporta’s previous tenure as Barcelona’s president coincided with Lionel Messi’s debut with the club, and ushered in an era of on-field aand commercial success.
He defeated his closest rival, 54.2 percent to 29.9 percent, but Barca
is facing tough decisions about some of its most popular players, a looming financial crisis made worse by the coronavirus pandemic and the potential loss of its best player Messi.
The most immediate challenge he faces is the biggest debt crisis in European soccer, currently more than $1.3 billion lowering the team’s salary bill, Sky sports reports.
Laporta said in his first comments to supporters, leaving little doubt that he considers cementing Messi’s future at the club his top priority, Sky Port. One of his challenges will be to persuade the Argentine international to stay.
