November 17 – Barcelona have been given the green light by the local Catalan authorities to hold their presidential election on January 24 following the recent resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu.
In order to avoid a mass gathering of voters at the Camp Nou stadium because of Covid-19, organisers are considering the possibility of having ballots in different locations.
According to club rules under the electoral process there must be a minimum of 37 days after the date is announced to when the election takes place.
The main question is whether one day or more will be put aside for voting in order to avoid large crowds.
Carlos Tusquets is the current interim president and is likely to stay in the role until the vote.
Tusquets is not expected to run, however, with six confirmed candidates of whom telecommunication, media and technology entrepreneur Victor Font is said to be the early favourite.
That would spell bad news for recently installed head coach Ronald Koeman.
Font has previously indicated that Koeman would not be retained under his stewardship, regardless of results this season.
“Even if Koeman has a great season I would not change my plans,” Font was recently quoted as saying. “If I become president, Koeman will not be the coach in 2021/2022.”
Each candidate will need the signature approval of at least 2,257 members and to present a guaranteed payment of at least €124.2 million to be considered.
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