Names, noise and no clear blueprint: Barcelona presidential candidates have disappointed ahead of the elections | Barca Universal

"This isn't an exercise to choose the mascot, a campaign slogan or the most familiar face in the room. They are choosing who gets to shape the sport, financial and institutional direction of one of Europe's best clubs for the next five years and beyond. And, this is precisely what makes the tone of this campaign so far so disappointing."

"A club still dealing with debt due to financial mismanagement of the past, navigating through the consequences of financial levers while still trying to remain competitive and do so playing an attractive brand of football, deserved a battle of blueprints from the two candidates. It deserved a real argument about governance, sporting continuity, Camp Nou revenues, member protections, and what Barcelona want to look like."

"Instead of asking for votes through their policy positioning, both have resorted to a concocted smear campaign of who lied, who manipulated, who used whom, who damaged the club, who resembles Donald Trump, who is a good Barça fan, and who represents the true Barça spirit."

Barcelona's upcoming presidential election on March 15, 2026, between Joan Laporta and Victor Font should have focused on critical issues facing the club: debt management, financial lever consequences, competitive performance, and institutional direction. With over 114,000 eligible voters, this election determines leadership for five years and beyond. However, the campaign has deteriorated into personal feuds and smear tactics rather than policy-driven debate. Both candidates possess platforms and talking points, but emphasis has shifted toward accusations about manipulation, dishonesty, and character rather than substantive governance discussions. The club deserves serious debate about Camp Nou revenues, member protections, sporting continuity, and Barcelona's future identity.

Read at Barca Universal