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Joan Laporta's Latest Scandal: This is How He Belittles the Oldest Members

He Forgets about the members who have been with the club for 50 years, who are also the ones paying Botafumeiro's bills

FC Barcelona has hit rock bottom at all levels: sportingly, economically, and institutionally. 

The first team has collapsed after a hopeful start. The sections aren't working and basketball is a complete disaster in Spain and Europe. It's the consequence of decisions like Heurtel's, which tarnish the image of the club worldwide.

The Brains in the Offices are Running away from Laporta

Camp Nou isn't back on the announced date. The economy is sinking, the club is under suspicion due to situations like Dani Olmo's registration. A broker takes 50 million for doing nothing.

A man in a tuxedo and bow tie smiles in front of a background with logos.
Barça is experiencing the worst moment in its history with Joan Laporta as president | MB

Whatever way you look at it, the club is on the edge of the abyss. Opposing groups, although quietly, have come together to find a solution. They want to prevent the club from disappearing as a victim of its administrators' ineffective management.

The brainpower that Joan Laporta accumulated upon his arrival at the club has been disappearing. They've left in a hurry.

The economic vice president, the CEO, the general director, the operations director. They've all fled in panic.

Save Something to Pay the Via Veneto Bill

Meanwhile, Joan Laporta runs the club amid the applause of his supporters, unable to question a single one of his decisions. Although there's no money, there's always enough to visit Botafumeiro or Via Veneto. It's about enjoying the best years of their lives at the members' expense.

A group of formally dressed people watching a sporting event from a box seat.
Joan Laporta disregards and disrespects the oldest members | Getty Images

The member, who pays the bill, is then unacceptably ignored. Laporta does nothing to prevent it.

A Tradition That Laporta Has Broken

It's customary and traditional at FC Barcelona that, whenever a member reaches 25 years of membership, the club rewards them with recognition. In this case, a silver medal and a diploma are awarded as a reward for their loyalty.

The first vice president carries this out in a meeting called for all members who find themselves in that situation that year.

When it's 50 years of membership,the president personally invites the members. In a heartfelt ceremony, he personally presents them with the gold badge and the certificate.

Text on a dark background that says
A two-year waiting list for members with 50 years of membership | MB

It's always been this way, always until now. Everything is delayed in Laporta's FC Barcelona.

Lack of Respect for the Member

Out of negligence, presumably. If it were due to a lack of budget for the gold insignias, it would be alarming.

Members who reached 50 years of membership in 2023 are still waiting for the club to invite them. They are owners of FC Barcelona but the club has forgotten about them. The same goes for those in 2024. 

The club reports that they are "delayed," that in 2024, the insignias corresponding to 2022 were delivered.

In 2025, those of 2023 will be delivered. In 2026,who knows.

If they are incapable of organizing something as simple as this with a minimum of common sense, what will they not do with more substantial matters that require preparation and knowledge?

They are the Owners Who Provide Him with Food

It's just an anecdote, but a painful andvery descriptive one of what's happening in the club.

A thank you card from FC Barcelona for loyalty and commitment, announcing the presentation of a gold badge to commemorate 50 years as a member, signed by President Joan Laporta Estruch.
Members with 50 years of membership have received the notice but not the badge | MB

We're talking about elderly members who shouldn't be toyed with. They're being deprived of the excitement of the reward for their loyalty to the club by indefinitely delaying an event they dream of and aren't sure they'll ever reach.

However, Laporta and his entourage can't do more. The members shall wait. This is how the president treats the oldest owners of the club who provide him with food and drink.