Joan Laporta has officially stepped down as president of FC Barcelona in accordance with Article 42.f of the club’s statutes, a procedural requirement that enables him to contest the upcoming board elections scheduled for March 15.
The resignation is not the result of any urgent sporting or financial crisis. Rather, it is a strategic move that allows Laporta to seek another term, nearly three years after he returned to office in March 2021.
Laporta is expected to face strong competition from declared pre-candidates including Víctor Font, Xavi Vilajoana, and Marc Ciria, setting the stage for a closely contested leadership race that will shape the club’s future direction.
The shake-up goes beyond the presidency. Eight members of Laporta’s board have also resigned in order to participate in the electoral process, including key officials overseeing institutional and social affairs. Their departure has triggered an immediate reorganisation of the club’s executive structure.
Rafa Yuste, formerly the sporting vice president and a close ally of Laporta, has been named interim president and will lead the club until the current mandate ends on June 30. He now heads a lean but fully compliant board that satisfies the club’s governance requirements.
The interim leadership team includes Josep Cubells as vice president and secretary, Alfons Castro as treasurer, along with board members Josep Ignasi Macià, Àngel Riudalbas, Joan Solé i Sust, and Sisco Pujol. Together, they will oversee Barcelona’s daily operations during the election period.
Despite the political transition, the club has emphasised continuity, noting that the restructured board continued with its scheduled activities, underscoring a commitment to stability as the election campaign unfolds.