Joan Laporta returned as Barcelona president on Sunday after winning the club's elections by a landslide, with his central pledge to try to persuade Lionel Messi to stay.&nbsp;

Laporta was last president at Barca between 2003 and 2010, which included overseeing the hugely successful appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach and the iconic treble-winning team of 2008/9.&nbsp;

In total, the club won four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues during Laporta's seven-year spell in charge.

The 58-year-old will return after holding off competition from Victor Font and Toni Freixa, the other two candidates to gain enough support to make the final stage.&nbsp;

Laporta won 30,184 votes, Font 16,679 and Freixa 4,769 from a total of 55,611 lodged by the club's members.

Amid champagne celebrations shared with his team on Sunday night, Laporta shouted with a grin on his face: "Now let's go to Paris and see if we can make another 'remontada' happen!"&nbsp;

Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16, with a 4-1 deficit to make up from the opening leg.&nbsp;

Longer-term, Laporta's task will be to rebuild a club in crisis, with crippling debts exacerbated by the pandemic, its reputation damaged and Messi considering leaving for free when his contract expires this summer.&nbsp;

He has said he will do everything possible to keep Messi at Camp Nou and campaigned heavily on the idea he was the best-placed candidate to convince the Argentinian, owing to their relationship during his previous time in charge.&nbsp;

In his victory speech, Laporta picked up on Messi showing up to vote earlier in the day. "Seeing Leo, the best player in the world, come to vote with his son is for me a sign of what we have said all along," Laporta said.&nbsp;

<h2>- 'Leo loves Barca' -</h2>

"Leo loves Barca and knows that we are a big family. Hopefully that can help us encourage him to stay."

A change of regime also leaves coach Ronald Koeman's position uncertain, with Laporta insisting the Dutchman "deserves respect" for his work this season while maintaining his future will depend on results.

Koeman's contract runs until 2022.&nbsp;

"I am not worried because I have a contract and when we know who is going to be the president of course we will talk and I want him to show me his way," Koeman said on Friday.&nbsp;

Laporta's main rival for the presidency was Font, who was the early favourite after claiming he would bring former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez in as coach.&nbsp;

But the team's progress under Koeman and Laporta's superior campaign cast doubt over the promise, with Laporta questioning last week why Xavi had not come out in support of Font publicly.&nbsp;

Xavi may have been keen to keep his options open and the Spaniard caused a stir on Sunday by liking, and then unliking, an Instagram post of Laporta casting his ballot.&nbsp;

Laporta will also have to make decisions on Xavi's other former team-mates still at the club like Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have contributed so much but whose peak years are now behind them.&nbsp;

<h2>- 'Great family' -</h2>

Perhaps most importantly, his job will be to heal the deep mistrust that has developed between the board of directors and the dressing room, led by Messi and Pique.&nbsp;

"We are a great family," Laporta said. "We have a feeling of belonging to this club and that feeling will make us all go together to face the challenges that lie ahead."

The last president Josep Maria Bartomeu was forced to resign in October after the club's members succeeded in achieving a vote of no confidence against him.&nbsp;

But Bartomeu quit before facing the vote after overseeing a disastrous final year that included Messi attempting to leave, the team being humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and the club posting gross debts of 1.2 billion euros.&nbsp;

Bartomeu spent the night in prison last Monday after being arrested as part of a police investigation into alleged corruption.&nbsp;

Voters had been due to go to the polls on January 24 but were prevented due to restrictions in relating to the pandemic, meaning the election was postponed.

Ballots on Sunday were held at six different polling stations in Catalonia and Andorra between 9am and 9pm, while just over 22,000 voters were able to vote by post for the first time.&nbsp;

Laporta's victory was confirmed officially by the club at just before midnight.&nbsp;

Joan Laporta returned as Barcelona president on Sunday after winning the club's elections by a landslide, with his central pledge to try to persuade Lionel Messi to stay.

Joan Laporta returned as Barcelona president on Sunday after winning the club's elections by a landslide, with his central pledge to try to persuade Lionel Messi to stay. Laporta was last president at Barca between 2003 and 2010, which included overseeing the hugely successful appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach and the iconic treble-winning team of 2008/9. In total, the club won four La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues during Laporta's seven-year spell in charge. The 58-year-old will return after holding off competition from Victor Font and Toni Freixa, the other two candidates to gain enough support to make the final stage. Laporta won 30,184 votes, Font 16,679 and Freixa 4,769 from a total of 55,611 lodged by the club's members. Amid champagne celebrations shared with his team on Sunday night, Laporta shouted with a grin on his face: "Now let's go to Paris and see if we can make another 'remontada' happen!" Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16, with a 4-1 deficit to make up from the opening leg. Longer-term, Laporta's task will be to rebuild a club in crisis, with crippling debts exacerbated by the pandemic, its reputation damaged and Messi considering leaving for free when his contract expires this summer. He has said he will do everything possible to keep Messi at Camp Nou and campaigned heavily on the idea he was the best-placed candidate to convince the Argentinian, owing to their relationship during his previous time in charge. In his victory speech, Laporta picked up on Messi showing up to vote earlier in the day. "Seeing Leo, the best player in the world, come to vote with his son is for me a sign of what we have said all along," Laporta said. - 'Leo loves Barca' - "Leo loves Barca and knows that we are a big family. Hopefully that can help us encourage him to stay." A change of regime also leaves coach Ronald Koeman's position uncertain, with Laporta insisting the Dutchman "deserves respect" for his work this season while maintaining his future will depend on results. Koeman's contract runs until 2022. "I am not worried because I have a contract and when we know who is going to be the president of course we will talk and I want him to show me his way," Koeman said on Friday. Laporta's main rival for the presidency was Font, who was the early favourite after claiming he would bring former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez in as coach. But the team's progress under Koeman and Laporta's superior campaign cast doubt over the promise, with Laporta questioning last week why Xavi had not come out in support of Font publicly. Xavi may have been keen to keep his options open and the Spaniard caused a stir on Sunday by liking, and then unliking, an Instagram post of Laporta casting his ballot. Laporta will also have to make decisions on Xavi's other former team-mates still at the club like Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who have contributed so much but whose peak years are now behind them. - 'Great family' - Perhaps most importantly, his job will be to heal the deep mistrust that has developed between the board of directors and the dressing room, led by Messi and Pique. "We are a great family," Laporta said. "We have a feeling of belonging to this club and that feeling will make us all go together to face the challenges that lie ahead." The last president Josep Maria Bartomeu was forced to resign in October after the club's members succeeded in achieving a vote of no confidence against him. But Bartomeu quit before facing the vote after overseeing a disastrous final year that included Messi attempting to leave, the team being humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and the club posting gross debts of 1.2 billion euros. Bartomeu spent the night in prison last Monday after being arrested as part of a police investigation into alleged corruption. Voters had been due to go to the polls on January 24 but were prevented due to restrictions in relating to the pandemic, meaning the election was postponed. Ballots on Sunday were held at six different polling stations in Catalonia and Andorra between 9am and 9pm, while just over 22,000 voters were able to vote by post for the first time. Laporta's victory was confirmed officially by the club at just before midnight.

Barca given fresh start as Laporta elected new club president

Polling opened on Sunday morning for a presidential election at crisis-hit Barcelona, where the winner will face the challenge of rebuilding the club's finances and squad.

Voting started at 09.00 local time (0800 GMT) in an election reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic.

The three candidates are former president Joan Laporta, the favourite according to the Catalan press, Toni Freixa and Victor Font.

They are running to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October and was briefly taken in for questioning following police raids on the club on Monday into the 'Barcagate' scandal which revolves around allegations that Barcelona carried out a defamation campaign against current and former players critical of club leadership.&nbsp;

"These are the most important elections in the history of Barca," Laporta told the club web site after voting.

Barcelona is in crisis on and off the field.&nbsp;

In October, it announced losses of announced losses of 97 million euros ($114 million) for last season and debts that had more than doubled to 488 million euros. Star player Lionel Messi is out of contract in the summer. In the Champions League, Barcelona travel to Paris on Wednesday trailing Paris Saint-Germain &nbsp;4-1 after a humiliating first-leg home loss. Form in La Liga has improved and on Saturday Barcelona climbed to second, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.&nbsp;

In previous elections, members have cast their votes in person at the club's Nou Camp headquarters, but because of Covid-19 members have also been allowed to apply for postal votes.

The club said that of the 110,920 members, 22,811 had applied to vote remotely.

Polling stations have also been set up in Girona, Tarragona, Tortosa and Lleida in Catalonia and in Andorra but the club said that 78,987 members had indicated they would vote, as they always have, at the Camp Nou.

Even though it began to rain in Barcelona shortly after the polls opened, the club reported on their web site at 09.45 that "the large influx of members to the stadium continues." The club posted a photo of queueing supporters wearing masks and rubbing gel on their hands.

"Members should have no doubt about coming to vote," said &nbsp;Carles Tusquets, head of the interim management committee that has run the club since Bartomeu resigned on October 27.&nbsp;

The polling will continue until 21.00 local time and the result is expected before midnight. &nbsp;

Polling opened on Sunday morning for a presidential election at crisis-hit Barcelona, where the winner will face the challenge of rebuilding the club's finances and squad.

Polling opened on Sunday morning for a presidential election at crisis-hit Barcelona, where the winner will face the challenge of rebuilding the club's finances and squad. Voting started at 09.00 local time (0800 GMT) in an election reshaped by the coronavirus pandemic. The three candidates are former president Joan Laporta, the favourite according to the Catalan press, Toni Freixa and Victor Font. They are running to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October and was briefly taken in for questioning following police raids on the club on Monday into the 'Barcagate' scandal which revolves around allegations that Barcelona carried out a defamation campaign against current and former players critical of club leadership. "These are the most important elections in the history of Barca," Laporta told the club web site after voting. Barcelona is in crisis on and off the field. In October, it announced losses of announced losses of 97 million euros ($114 million) for last season and debts that had more than doubled to 488 million euros. Star player Lionel Messi is out of contract in the summer. In the Champions League, Barcelona travel to Paris on Wednesday trailing Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 after a humiliating first-leg home loss. Form in La Liga has improved and on Saturday Barcelona climbed to second, two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand. In previous elections, members have cast their votes in person at the club's Nou Camp headquarters, but because of Covid-19 members have also been allowed to apply for postal votes. The club said that of the 110,920 members, 22,811 had applied to vote remotely. Polling stations have also been set up in Girona, Tarragona, Tortosa and Lleida in Catalonia and in Andorra but the club said that 78,987 members had indicated they would vote, as they always have, at the Camp Nou. Even though it began to rain in Barcelona shortly after the polls opened, the club reported on their web site at 09.45 that "the large influx of members to the stadium continues." The club posted a photo of queueing supporters wearing masks and rubbing gel on their hands. "Members should have no doubt about coming to vote," said Carles Tusquets, head of the interim management committee that has run the club since Bartomeu resigned on October 27. The polling will continue until 21.00 local time and the result is expected before midnight.

Polls open for presidential election at troubled Barcelona

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has conceded his future is out of his hands ahead of the club`s looming presidential election. 
 
The Catalans have been without a permanent president since previous incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned last October. However, club members will elect a new chief on Sunday. 
 
One of the three candidates, Victor Font, has campaigned on the basis he will bring former midfielder and current Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez in as a new head coach. 
 
Koeman, who has led his side to second in the La Liga table and the final of the Copa del Rey, said whoever wins the election holds the key to his future. 
 
"It`s not in my hands. The only thing I know is that I have another year of my contract to run after this season," Koeman told a news conference ahead of Saturday`s league trip to Osasuna. 
 
"In a couple of days there`ll be a new president and he`ll have his say. I`m just focused on winning games. The rest of it is out of my hands. 
 
"There`s so many games we don`t have time to think about much else. At the end of the day, the new president will decide and I`m fed up of these questions." 
 
Barca sit five points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid having played a game more, but have the chance to capitalise on the fact the league leaders play fellow title challengers Real Madrid this weekend. 
 
The Dutchman said on this one occasion Barca would be backing arch-rivals Real given the points gap to Atleti. 
 
"It`s always better that the side in first place drops points, but first thing`s first, and that`s that we have to win," he said. 
 
Koeman will be without central defenders Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo for the trip to Pamplona. Midfielder Miralem Pjanic has returned to full training following an ankle knock.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has conceded his future is out of his hands ahead of the club`s looming presidential election. The Catalans have been without a permanent president since previous incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned last October.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has conceded his future is out of his hands ahead of the club`s looming presidential election. The Catalans have been without a permanent president since previous incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned last October. However, club members will elect a new chief on Sunday. One of the three candidates, Victor Font, has campaigned on the basis he will bring former midfielder and current Al Sadd coach Xavi Hernandez in as a new head coach. Koeman, who has led his side to second in the La Liga table and the final of the Copa del Rey, said whoever wins the election holds the key to his future. "It`s not in my hands. The only thing I know is that I have another year of my contract to run after this season," Koeman told a news conference ahead of Saturday`s league trip to Osasuna. "In a couple of days there`ll be a new president and he`ll have his say. I`m just focused on winning games. The rest of it is out of my hands. "There`s so many games we don`t have time to think about much else. At the end of the day, the new president will decide and I`m fed up of these questions." Barca sit five points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid having played a game more, but have the chance to capitalise on the fact the league leaders play fellow title challengers Real Madrid this weekend. The Dutchman said on this one occasion Barca would be backing arch-rivals Real given the points gap to Atleti. "It`s always better that the side in first place drops points, but first thing`s first, and that`s that we have to win," he said. Koeman will be without central defenders Gerard Pique and Ronald Araujo for the trip to Pamplona. Midfielder Miralem Pjanic has returned to full training following an ankle knock.

Koeman says Barca future still uncertain as election looms

Former Barcelona president&nbsp;Josep&nbsp;Maria Bartomeu and his former advisor Jaume Masferrer were released after appearing before a judge&nbsp;investigating 2020’s ‘Barcagate’ scandal, a Spanish court said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Both Bartomeu and Masferrer were arrested on Monday and&nbsp;"exercised their right not to speak". The judge ordered a conditional release as the investigation continues, the Barcelona court said in a statement.&nbsp;

The court added that the judge had sought to question them as part of the ‘Barcagate’ scandal investigation, which was opened&nbsp;in May 2020, into the suspected crime of business corruption and false administration.&nbsp;

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Whereas two other club official – Barca’s current chief executive Oscar Grau and head of legal services Roma Gomez Ponti were released on Monday. Notably, the series of arrest and the operation comes less than a week before Barcelona presidential elections are&nbsp;to be held.&nbsp;

The ‘Barcagate’ scandal includes allegations that the Catalan club made payments to a company named I3 Ventures in a bid to boost the image of the club on social media platforms. A part of the campaign included&nbsp;criticising&nbsp;the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Pep Guardiola among other notable personalities associated with the club.&nbsp;Messi&nbsp;had&nbsp;described the controversy as "strange" in an interview with Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo.&nbsp;

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Bartomeu maintained the company had been hired only to monitor posts on social media&nbsp;before resigning in October 2020. Bartomeu’s successor at the club is due to be elected on Sunday with three candidates – Joan Laporta, Toni&nbsp;Freixa&nbsp;and Victor Font – involved in the elections.&nbsp;

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his former advisor Jaume Masferrer were released after appearing before a judge investigating 2020’s ‘Barcagate’ scandal, a Spanish court said on Tuesday.

Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his former advisor Jaume Masferrer were released after appearing before a judge investigating 2020’s ‘Barcagate’ scandal, a Spanish court said on Tuesday. Both Bartomeu and Masferrer were arrested on Monday and "exercised their right not to speak". The judge ordered a conditional release as the investigation continues, the Barcelona court said in a statement. The court added that the judge had sought to question them as part of the ‘Barcagate’ scandal investigation, which was opened in May 2020, into the suspected crime of business corruption and false administration. ALSO READ: Argentines bring legend Diego Maradona back to life with mosaics Whereas two other club official – Barca’s current chief executive Oscar Grau and head of legal services Roma Gomez Ponti were released on Monday. Notably, the series of arrest and the operation comes less than a week before Barcelona presidential elections are to be held. The ‘Barcagate’ scandal includes allegations that the Catalan club made payments to a company named I3 Ventures in a bid to boost the image of the club on social media platforms. A part of the campaign included criticising the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Pep Guardiola among other notable personalities associated with the club. Messi had described the controversy as "strange" in an interview with Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo. ALSO READ: FC Barcelona release statement after Josep Bartomeu's arrest over 'Barcagate' scandal Bartomeu maintained the company had been hired only to monitor posts on social media before resigning in October 2020. Bartomeu’s successor at the club is due to be elected on Sunday with three candidates – Joan Laporta, Toni Freixa and Victor Font – involved in the elections.

Ex-Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu released after appearing before judge

Barcelona announced on Friday that the club's presidential elections have been postponed after a rise in coronavirus cases prompted heavy restrictions in the region.&nbsp;

The elections were set for January 24 but the Catalonian government told the club on Friday morning that exceptions to the rules would not be made to allow people to vote.

The delay means Barcelona will not have a new regime in charge for the last week of the January transfer window while Lionel Messi's future is set to remain unresolved for a while longer.&nbsp;

Messi's contract expires at the end of June, when he could leave the club for free, having failed in an attempt to secure an exit last summer.&nbsp;

A new date has not been set for the elections but the club said in a statement it would ask the Catalonian government to&nbsp;allow people to vote by post.&nbsp;

The statement read: "For its part, the club has understood the impossibility of holding elections on the scheduled date due to mobility restrictions decreed by the Catalan Government in the current context of pandemic, which is why the date of the elections must be&nbsp;delayed.

"In this sense, the club has asked the Catalan Government to evaluate the possibility of modifying the current sports legislation in order to enable voting by post on the new date of the elections, a request that the Government has undertaken to study."

Joan Laporta, Victor Font and Toni Freixa are the three candidates who will stand, after each gained the required number of signatures from club members. Laporta and Font are considered the two favourites to win.

Laporta was Barca president between 2003 and 2010, overseeing the appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach and his hugely successful first two years in charge.&nbsp;

Laporta also claims to enjoy a close relationship with Messi and insists the Argentinian can be persuaded to stay.&nbsp;

Font, meanwhile, has framed himself as the candidate for the future, although he has also been clear Messi signing a new contract would be a priority.&nbsp;

Font has been keen to emphasise his close ties with Xavi Hernandez, the club's former midfielder touted as a potential replacement for Ronald Koeman as coach.&nbsp;

Laporta, Font and Freixa are bidding to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu, who brought his turbulent tenure as president to an end in October, following mounting pressure from fans and his public falling out with Messi.&nbsp;

After a dismal year on the pitch, Barca fans will hope a new president brings a fresh start but the winning candidate will be constrained by the club's dire financial situation, caused by an enormous wage bill and worsened by the consequences of the pandemic.&nbsp;

Shortly before Bartomeu resigned in October, Barcelona had announced losses of 97 million euros for the previous season, with debt more than doubling to 488 million euros.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The team are third in La Liga, seven points behind Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand.

An interim board has been led by Carles Tusquets since October. The three candidates will meet with Tusquets later on Friday when a new election schedule could be confirmed.&nbsp;

Barcelona announced on Friday that the club's presidential elections have been postponed after a rise in coronavirus cases prompted heavy restrictions in the region.

Barcelona announced on Friday that the club's presidential elections have been postponed after a rise in coronavirus cases prompted heavy restrictions in the region. The elections were set for January 24 but the Catalonian government told the club on Friday morning that exceptions to the rules would not be made to allow people to vote. The delay means Barcelona will not have a new regime in charge for the last week of the January transfer window while Lionel Messi's future is set to remain unresolved for a while longer. Messi's contract expires at the end of June, when he could leave the club for free, having failed in an attempt to secure an exit last summer. A new date has not been set for the elections but the club said in a statement it would ask the Catalonian government to allow people to vote by post. The statement read: "For its part, the club has understood the impossibility of holding elections on the scheduled date due to mobility restrictions decreed by the Catalan Government in the current context of pandemic, which is why the date of the elections must be delayed. "In this sense, the club has asked the Catalan Government to evaluate the possibility of modifying the current sports legislation in order to enable voting by post on the new date of the elections, a request that the Government has undertaken to study." Joan Laporta, Victor Font and Toni Freixa are the three candidates who will stand, after each gained the required number of signatures from club members. Laporta and Font are considered the two favourites to win. Laporta was Barca president between 2003 and 2010, overseeing the appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach and his hugely successful first two years in charge. Laporta also claims to enjoy a close relationship with Messi and insists the Argentinian can be persuaded to stay. Font, meanwhile, has framed himself as the candidate for the future, although he has also been clear Messi signing a new contract would be a priority. Font has been keen to emphasise his close ties with Xavi Hernandez, the club's former midfielder touted as a potential replacement for Ronald Koeman as coach. Laporta, Font and Freixa are bidding to succeed Josep Maria Bartomeu, who brought his turbulent tenure as president to an end in October, following mounting pressure from fans and his public falling out with Messi. After a dismal year on the pitch, Barca fans will hope a new president brings a fresh start but the winning candidate will be constrained by the club's dire financial situation, caused by an enormous wage bill and worsened by the consequences of the pandemic. Shortly before Bartomeu resigned in October, Barcelona had announced losses of 97 million euros for the previous season, with debt more than doubling to 488 million euros. The team are third in La Liga, seven points behind Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand. An interim board has been led by Carles Tusquets since October. The three candidates will meet with Tusquets later on Friday when a new election schedule could be confirmed.

Barcelona presidential elections postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions, club confirm

With Lionel Messi deciding to stay at Barcelona, a campaign has been started to force a vote of no-confidence against club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. ‘Mes que una mocio’ (More than a motion), the group supported by next year’s presidential candidates have started a campaign to oust the Barcelona boss and have gathered already 7.500 signatures.&nbsp;

To successfully trigger the members voting process, the campaign needs to acquire at least 16,520 votes by September 17. If the campaign reaches the target and the vote of no-confidence motion is held then two thirds of the club’s 150,000 members would need to vote against Bartomeu to kick him out of the club and trigger an imminent election.&nbsp;

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Notably, Bartomeu cannot stand again for elections as he has served two terms. He has called elections for March 2021, three months ahead of the schedule following Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League in August.

The motion of no-confidence was filed by presidential candidate Jordi Farre on August 26, one day after club’s all-time high scorer and six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi sent the burofax saying he wished to leave the Catalan club.

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The Argentinian maestro then on Friday said that he would stay for this season as he didn’t want to drag Barcelona – the club he loves – to the court. Messi went on to say that he was telling the Barca chief that he wants to leave the club since the start of the season but his only mistake was not to say it officially.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Messi has returned back to training on Monday and has been working on his fitness alone.&nbsp;

With Lionel Messi deciding to stay at Barcelona, a campaign has been started to force a vote of no-confidence against club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. ‘Mes que una mocio’ (More than a motion), the group supported by next year’s presidential candidates have started a campaign to oust the Barcelona boss and have gathered already 7.

With Lionel Messi deciding to stay at Barcelona, a campaign has been started to force a vote of no-confidence against club president Josep Maria Bartomeu. ‘Mes que una mocio’ (More than a motion), the group supported by next year’s presidential candidates have started a campaign to oust the Barcelona boss and have gathered already 7.500 signatures. To successfully trigger the members voting process, the campaign needs to acquire at least 16,520 votes by September 17. If the campaign reaches the target and the vote of no-confidence motion is held then two thirds of the club’s 150,000 members would need to vote against Bartomeu to kick him out of the club and trigger an imminent election. ALSO READ: PSG star Kylian Mbappe tests positive for COVID-19 Notably, Bartomeu cannot stand again for elections as he has served two terms. He has called elections for March 2021, three months ahead of the schedule following Barcelona’s humiliating 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League in August. The motion of no-confidence was filed by presidential candidate Jordi Farre on August 26, one day after club’s all-time high scorer and six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi sent the burofax saying he wished to leave the Catalan club. ALSO READ: England's Foden, Greenwood sent home after 'naive' virus breach The Argentinian maestro then on Friday said that he would stay for this season as he didn’t want to drag Barcelona – the club he loves – to the court. Messi went on to say that he was telling the Barca chief that he wants to leave the club since the start of the season but his only mistake was not to say it officially. Meanwhile, Messi has returned back to training on Monday and has been working on his fitness alone.

Messi saga: Campaign to remove Barcelona boss Josep Bartomeu gathers pace