laporta back at the helm

[barcalove]

glad this is out of the way....

Joan Laporta has been confirmed as Barcelona president for the next four years.

Having been forced to stand down from the role in July, Laporta's return to the post came without the need for a members' vote.

Last month, a ruling by a Spanish judge upheld a complaint from three club members that Laporta had already been president for a four-year term.

Elections were called, with four candidates hoping to stand against Laporta in a vote scheduled for September 3.

But none of the candidates were able to muster the 1,804 signatures of club members required to stand in opposition.

That allowed Laporta to reclaim the presidency at Camp Nou and the news was confirmed on Tuesday evening.

Since first taking on the job in 2003, Laporta has overseen two Primera Liga title successes and victory in the UEFA Champions League final over Arsenal in May.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...resident+again

Joan Laporta will be named as president of Barcelona on Tuesday evening after all his rivals failed to gain the required support to enter the race.

Each candidate must garner 1,804 signatures of support from club members in order to run, but Laporta was the only person who was able to collect that amount.

Jordi Medina presented the club's Electoral Commission with 1,319, Ferran Estrada had 12 and Francesc Linan just one, while Jaume Guixa claimed that he received 1,694 endorsements but ran out of forms due to transport problems.

All the candidates spent the hours before Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup game with Espanyol before handing over the signatures to the club for counting on Monday evening.

Elections were called by the Catalan club on the orders of a judge, who ruled that Laporta had already served a four-year term, and were due to be held on September 3. With no rivals, Laporta can be named as president for the second time and he will take charge of the club until 2010, when elections are next due to be held.

Since taking over in 2003, Laporta has steered the club to two consecutive league titles and the UEFA Champions League.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...m+easy+victory