Gaspart's Barca board warning

Former president pleads for supporter patience

By Lucas Brown   Last updated: 2nd June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gaspart's Barca board warning

Laporta: Under pressure

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Joan Gaspart has warned voters that going against the Barcelona board in the forthcoming confidence referendum would be a huge mistake ahead of the new season.

The Blaugrana's former president claims to have no sympathy for current chief Joan Laporta and his regime, but thinks that bringing them down would harm the club's chances of winning something next season.

A pair of Barca members have brought a vote of no confidence against the current board and, if verified, a referendum will be held to see if they should stay or go.

If the 117,000 eligible fans that can vote do go against Laporta then the club's transfer activity would be frozen until new elections could be held and that would be bad news for the club, according to Gaspart.

Democratic

"The vote of no confidence is bad for Barca," he told Sport.

"It is democratic, of course, but the members must ask what could happen down the line if this motion is approved.

"Barca could be left with a management committee that would be unable to make any important decisions. We are playing with the coming season's hopes.

"Once the motion can go forward, the club must consider the consequences that could be involved if they vote against the board.

Sympathy

"People must vote against this and then demand to the board that the club win the title and Champions League next season.

"I am not thinking about individual interests, but only about those of Barcelona. I have no sympathy for Laporta, but this is bad because if it happens then it could really cause problems for the planning towards next season.

"Who would take charge of signings? Would Txiki (Bergiristain) stay in place? Who will be technical secretary if not? Which players would come? It could mean an entire season would be lost."

Gaspart was celebrating at the weekend after Sant Andreu, the club of which he is now president, qualified for the final promotion play-off in la Tercera (Spanish fourth division).