Barcelona Supporters Officially Petition for President's Departure in Wake of Olmo Controversy
A faction of FC Barcelona supporters is pushing for President Joan Laporta's departure, prompted by complications surrounding the signings of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.
The duo were Barca's sole summer acquisitions for the first team, with Olmo costing over $60 million to release from his RB Leipzig contract, while Pau Victor was acquired for €2.5 million ($2.6 million) from local rival Girona.
Due to an injury-induced loophole, the players could only be registered until the end of December.
As 2024 neared its end, La Liga confirmed that Olmo and Pau Victor would not receive permits to play the remainder of the season, as a judge had also denied one.
"La Liga declares that, as of today, December 31, FC Barcelona has not presented any alternative that, in compliance with La Liga's economic control regulations, would enable it to register any player from January 2," said a statement on the matter.
On January 1, the Spanish league CEO website deleted the players from Barca's squad.
Amid speculations of Barca potentially losing $273 million ($263 million) if Olmo exercises his right to leave as a free agent, a band of disgruntled Barca fans has called for Laporta's resignation.
On January 2 in Catalonia, Som un Clam issued a statement demanding Laporta's ouster, as they believe this latest incident demonstrates that, after nearly four years in charge, Laporta "has failed to steer the club's course."
In a lengthy message, Som un Clam expressed its "complete disgust and shame" towards Laporta and the board's handling of Olmo and Pau Victor's registrations, resulting in its call for their resignation.
"What we witnessed in the final hours of 2024 has shown that the destructive circle in which the club's executive committee has found itself has reached its breaking point. Inept and impromptu management is now affecting the first team's performance, which may be denied two of their new signings," it said.
Som un Clam highlighted that on January 3, the resolution of the "absurd" case will be known.
"However, the situation created is unacceptable, and the damage to the club's reputation is irreversible. The damage to reputation is exacerbated by the continuous lies and deception of members with false promises that never materialize and eventually harm the Club," it added.
Som un Clam pointed out that in four years, Barca's assets have been depleted using various "levers," selling strategic assets for future revenue to cover gaps in budget and management.
"Despite promises of recovery, the club still lacks a solid financial plan or a coherent strategy to ensure security in the medium and long term.
"While we observe with concern and astonishment as intermediaries with million-dollar commissions are introduced in operations such as the renewal of the sponsorship contract with Nike or the sponsorship of Spotify," it noted.
The group stressed that Barca's members must not allow the club to deteriorate in this manner.
"We demand an end to the unfulfilled promises, endless improvisation, and irresponsible sale of assets that are mortgaging Barca's unique model of collective ownership. A change of direction is urgent. It is necessary to restore transparency, planning, and values that have made Barca 'more than a club'. The future of Barca depends on us, its members, and we will not stand idly by while the institution degrades.
"Faced with this situation, Som un Clam demands the resignation of the president and the board of directors, while we call on Barca fans to mobilize, reverse this situation, and make their voices heard," it concluded.
- Despite the push from some Barca supporters for President Joan Laporta's departure, the complications surrounding the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor from La Liga affected both players, with Olmo being a costly acquisition from RB Leipzig and Pau Victor coming from local rival Girona.
- The faction that wants Laporta to step down was further angered by the situation, as Olmo and Pau Victor could not play beyond December due to regulatory issues, leading to speculations of significant financial losses if Olmo exercises his right to leave as a free agent.
- Pau Victor's acquisition from Girona and Dani Olmo's transfer from RB Leipzig came under scrutiny when La Liga refused to register the duo for the rest of the season, prompting a Catalan organization, Som un Clam, to call for Laporta's resignation due to the club's mismanagement and damage to its reputation.
