Joan Laporta believes he has failed Barcelona after losing to “prosecuted President” Josep Maria Bartomeu in Saturday’s election.
The 52-year-old was expected to run Bartomeu close but ultimately finished some 21 percent and over 10,000 votes behind the incumbent.
“I want to thank all the socis who voted for us and people who have given us support,” he told reporters after the results were announced.
“I wish to congratulate the winner of the election and make it clear that there are two different models of the club.
“We tried to keep the club from being run by a prosecuted President, who is entirely in Qatar’s hands and will destroy La Masia, but we couldn’t.
“I’m a democrat and I accept the result. It was a very difficult campaign because there were not enough debates, but let’s face it.
“When we started out, we knew it would not be easy. There are many socis who understand that our model defended the club.”
