Weakened Laporta narrowly wins no-confidence motion

Europe News

Jul 7, 2008, 5:55 GMT

Madrid - Joan Laporta narrowly escaped being humiliatingly thrown out as president of FC Barcelona on Sunday after surviving a no-confidence vote initiated by a disgruntled supporter. Though 60.6 per cent of the 18,528 (40 per cent) members that voted were in favour of the no-confidence motion, brought against Laporta by lawyer-member Oriol Girlat, and only 38 per cent were against the motion, it was short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass. Girlat brought the motion against Laporta three months ago, unhappy with two seasons of no major titles and accusing the president of dishonesty, incompetence and arrogance. Upon hearing the results, Giralt said that 'if I were president, I would resign now,' pointing out that less than a tenth of members had bothered to turn out and vote in his defence. Laporta, looking shaken but relieved by the results, said that 'we will complete our mandate.' He admitted that it had been 'a protest vote' and a 'wake-up call,' and promised to 'work for harmony.' Ferran Soriano, one of Laporta's vice-presidents, commented that 'more than 80 per cent of members could not be bothered to turn out and vote for this motion.' The vote means Laporta will continue as Barca chief until 2010.

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Weakened Laporta narrowly wins no-confidence motion

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