Joan Laporta among final three Barcelona presidential candidates

"Laporta led the way with 8,169 signatures, but there was also significant support for the other candidates, with Font obtaining 5,144 signatures and Ciria 2,844. Vilajoana missed the threshold, presenting 1,593 signatures, while Juan and Maddock registered just 84 and nine, respectively."

"Given the team's success under coach Hansi Flick over the past 18 months, local media report that Laporta is the strong favourite to be selected when members go to the polls this month. However, with Font -- who finished second to Laporta five years ago -- and Ciria both drumming up decent support so far, it may not be the foregone conclusion many initially expected."

"Combined, the signatures of Font, Ciria and Vilajoana exceeded Laporta's total, which has fuelled speculation about a potential consolidation of the anti-Laporta vote."

Barcelona's presidential election has been narrowed to three candidates: incumbent Joan Laporta, Víctor Font, and Marc Ciria, after six initial runners competed for member support. Laporta secured 8,169 signatures, Font obtained 5,144, and Ciria gathered 2,844, all exceeding the required 2,337 threshold. Three candidates—Xavier Vilajoana, Daniel Juan, and William Maddock—failed to qualify. Laporta triggered the election by resigning in February to seek reelection after being elected in 2021. Despite the team's recent success under coach Hansi Flick, making Laporta the favorite, combined signatures from Font, Ciria, and Vilajoana exceeded Laporta's total, suggesting potential anti-Laporta vote consolidation. Voting occurs March 15.

Read at ESPN.com