Barcelona president Joan Laporta has accused his critics of trying to “destabilise” the club, after a number of opposition groups called for his resignation over the Dani Olmo and Pau Victor registration saga.
Olmo and Victor were granted temporary permission to play on January 8, after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga had originally rejected Barcelona’s request to re-register them.
Speaking at a news conference today, Laporta rebuffed calls for him to stand down after 10 different supporters’ groups — led by former Barcelona presidential candidate, Victor Font — accused him of “negligence” over his handling of the affair.
Laporta, who has a mandate to remain in charge until 2026, said:
💬 “They wanted to kill us off but we worked hard, never gave up until we got what we wanted: the 1:1 rule and above all, to register Pau Victor and Dani Olmo.
“Can anyone believe I could resign because of a decision by La Liga and the RFEF? I am very disappointed how people with aspirations to preside this club have acted. It was not about being at Laporta’s side, it was about being at Barcelona’s side.
“It was a transcendental moment (for the club), in the middle of the competition and they have destabilised the team.”
GO FURTHER
Inside Olmo’s Barca drama: A warning not to sign him, his exit clause and a registration solution – for now
