Advertisement

Barca acting president calls for elections "as soon as possible"

SHOWS: BARCELONA, SPAIN (OCTOBER 29, 2020) (BARCA TV - MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO)

1. FC BARCELONA'S ACTING PRESIDENT CARLES TUSQUETS ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) FC BARCELONA'S ACTING PRESIDENT, CARLES TUSQUETS, SAYING:

"Regarding the circumstances, I think it is appropriate to say that there will not be any members of the previous board, we think it is appropriate and necessary for the future."

3. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) FC BARCELONA'S ACTING PRESIDENT, CARLES TUSQUETS, SAYING:

"I think transparency is very important now, because it is what we want to be. Transparent with you all and within members, we want to explain exactly what it occurring and the situation of the club, that as we all now, has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic."

5. NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

6. SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) FC BARCELONA'S ACTING PRESIDENT, CARLES TUSQUETS, SAYING:

"Our principal role is to call action, and we want to do that, as the British say 'as soon as possible', and I would like to highlight the word 'possible'. What we will not do is have pressure to do it in an inappropriate time, we will do it when we believe the circumstances are appropriate, because we want to reach maximum participation (in the elections for new president)."

7. END OF NEWS CONFERENCE (MUTE)

STORY: FC Barcelona's acting president Carles Tusquets said on Thursday (October 29) that elections for the new president should happen "as soon as possible", when circumstances allow for a maximum participation in the vote.

"What we will not to is have pressure to do it in an inappropriate time, we will do it when we believe the circumstances are appropriate," Tusquets told a news conference in Barcelona.

The acting president also announced no members of the previous board would be incorporated, and that "transparency" would be key in the new Barca management.

Barcelona named Carles Tusquets as their acting president on Wednesday (October 28), a day after Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned in order to avoid facing a vote of no confidence.

Barca said in a statement that Tusquets, the chairman of the club's economic commission, would lead the acting board of directors, comprising seven other people, until a new president and board is elected.

The board's main objective is to organise elections within the next three months, meaning the next one must be held before the initial date of March 2021 which Bartomeu had set in August.

Seven people have announced their intention to run for president, including Joan Laporta, who led the club between 2003 and 2010 and oversaw two Champions League title wins, and Victor Font, who has pledged to appoint club great Xavi Hernandez as coach.

(Production: May Ponzo)