Ex-Barcelona presidential candidate slams Joan Laporta’s budget – ‘They deceive us’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font has raised serious concerns about the financial management of FC Barcelona under the leadership of President Joan Laporta.

With just days remaining before the club’s delegates’ meeting, where key financial decisions for the 2023-2024 season and the 2024-2025 budget will be discussed, Font has criticised the club’s financial reporting, referring to the figures as “fictitious numbers.”

“Vote no: the accounts must reflect reality,” he said as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“They do not know how to manage the club. They deceive us. The story they sell us is false,” he added.

Financial management

Victor Font has questioned Laporta’s management. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Font, who leads the opposition group ‘Sí al futur’, voiced his concerns based on the numbers released by the club. He claims the club is continuing to show the same signs of poor financial management that have plagued it in previous years.

According to Font, Barcelona has spent €1.041 million more than it has earned, which has resulted in massive accumulated losses.

“We have spent €1.041 million more than we spent, accumulated losses of €1.041 million. We spend more than we earn,” he noted

He emphasised that while some of the financial issues are legacies from past leadership, a significant portion of the mismanagement lies with the current board.

“What we spend is a legacy, yes, but there is an important part which is the management of this board of directors. The income is like in 2018-2019 when the football industry has grown, we are below.”

Financial gaps

Victor Font says Laporta management is not revealing the right numbers. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Font also questioned how the club is managing its finances, suggesting that the club is relying heavily on credit to cover its financial gaps.

He detailed that Barcelona’s debt stands at €2.484 billion, with €577 million due in the short term and €725 million in long-term debt, plus €1.182 billion related to the Espai Barça project.

“How do we make ends meet? We pulled out the credit card. €1.150 million before Espai Barça, €152 million more, Espai Barça apart.

“The total debt is €2.484 million of doubt, €577 million in the short term and €725 million in the long term, plus €1.182 Espai Barça.”

Covering problems

He further accused the club of “selling assets” to cover its financial problems, stating that “This board is also mortgaging the future.

Victor Font is not happy with Laporta’s management. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

Font expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Barça Studios, a major club asset, claiming the reported €408 million figure is not credible, according to an external auditor.

He called for greater transparency from Laporta and his board, demanding clear and honest financial reporting.

“Barça Studios is fictitious. And the auditor says so. We do not believe these €408 million.”

When asked about the possibility of pushing for a vote of no confidence against the current board, Font did not rule out the option, noting that the club is nearing “red lines.”

He has previously discussed these financial thresholds, and while he had not considered such action before, he now leaves the possibility open.

Font also mentioned his efforts to unite different opposition groups, including ‘Som un Clam’, to collectively challenge the current regime, which he believes has failed to establish a professional model for the club since 2003.