Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has suggested that Agusti Benedito and Toni Freixa could “join forces” in a bid to oust Josep Maria Bartomeu.
A recent survey claims Bartomeu is leading the race with 31.8 percent of the vote, with Laporta coming in second at 28.1%, Benedito 3.6%, Freixa 1.2% and 26.7% still undecided.
“I think [Benedito, Freixa and I] could unite together,” the 52-year-old said in a debate organised by El Punt Avui TV.
“If we don’t want Mr. Bartomeu as President, we’ll have to join forces.”
Bartomeu was not present at the television debate, prompting a backlash from the other two candidates.
“What Bartomeu has done is quite shocking, it’s an act of disloyalty to the socios and club,” fumed Benedito.
“It’s disrespectful, not to us but the entire social body of the club. If it was up to him, there wouldn’t be any elections.
“I’m very disappointed with Bartomeu. I think the socios will punish him for this.”
Freixa, a former Barca director under Bartomeu’s regime, added: “He’s demonstrated a lack of institutional leadership.
“He’s made his strategy and must have felt that he had more to lose than gain by attending.”
