Joan Laporta under fire as presidential candidate accuses Barcelona of hiding €80m in losses and demands election 'as soon as possible'

Barcelona’s political landscape has erupted once again, with Laporta facing new allegations of financial mismanagement. Former presidential rival Victor Font publicly accused the club of hiding €80m in losses, urging for immediate elections to “protect the club’s social model.”

The comments have reignited calls for reform just as Laporta prepares to seek another term in 2026. The Barcelona presidential elections are scheduled to be called between March 15 and June 15, 2026, though the exact date has not yet been finalised.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Font sharply criticised Laporta’s leadership and said: "Last year's closing reflected losses of 90 million euros. We asked for a restatement because there were overvalued assets, and we were ignored. This year's accounts hide 80 million euros more in losses that are restatements in last year's accounts, and this hasn't been mentioned; the Assembly isn't aware of it. There's a lack of transparency."

The former presidential candidate also criticised the selection of the construction company Limak for the Spotify Camp Nou project: "We were told they would act quickly and with a smaller budget, but that's not the case. Another deception. On Sunday, Joan Laporta will have to explain why Limak was selected despite internal reports that advised against it, as explained by the SER radio station on Monday."

He added: "The proposal was to return [to Camp Nou] with 27,000 spectators, but now the club says it doesn't make economic sense and that they're waiting until they can host 45,000." 

Font’s message is clear: elections should be held as soon as possible to ensure transparency and return decision-making power to the club’s members.

"We need elections as soon as possible," he stated. "The members will fight to ensure that the social model does not change and that the club is once again managed efficiently and responsibly."

He argues that the current administration’s mismanagement has not only damaged finances but could also impact the sporting project under Hansi Flick. 

“I have 100% confidence in Flick. Losing two games happened last year. What worries us is how the mismanagement directly impacts the sporting project. Flick must be hallucinating,” he concluded. “First, the mismanagement on the tour. He doesn't know where he'll play. He started without having his squad registered. They gave away Inigo [Martinez], who was a pillar. We are concerned that the poor management will impact the sporting project and such an important asset.” 

While Laporta insists he wants to continue rebuilding after inheriting a club in crisis, Font and other opposition figures believe change is overdue. Alongside Font’s “Si al Futur” (Yes to the Future) movement, new challengers like Joan Camprubí’s “Som un Clam” and Xavi Vilajoana’s “Veus del Barca” (“Voices of Barca”) are positioning themselves as reformists seeking a more transparent, member-led model.

As Laporta eyes another five-year term, his leadership faces its toughest test yet. While he remains popular among many supporters for stabilising the club and overseeing the Camp Nou project, persistent questions over transparency, finances, and governance could define the months ahead.