Faith in Barcelona president hits new low as special elections now on the table
Barcelona held tense meeting as fallout from the social media scandal continues and claims its first casualty.
Josep Maria Bartomeu may be living out his final days as Barcelona president earlier than expected. That’s because the club held a special meeting to discuss among other things the scandal involving I3 Ventures and the social media accounts.
Leading up to the meeting, there were rumors that certain board members would be tendering their resignation and that some would even call for the immediate resignation of Bartomeu. While it ended up being less tense as first predicted, it was tense nonetheless.
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Diario Sport wrote,
"“During five hours, everyone in attendance had an opportunity to say what was on their mind openly about any subject and, from what we could learn, the reproaches have been many, mainly the displeasure that Bartomeu has done a lot without consulting anyone from the board.”"
They go on to report that it was especially tense in the first few hours but that things calmed down as things went on.
Also, at no time did anyone ask for Bartomeu’s resignation.
However, the board did suffer its first casualty.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Jaume Masferrer, a high-ranking board member, was suspended from all his functions while the investigation about the social media accounts is conducted.
Bartomeu’s right-hand man, Masferrer is seen by a large number of member of the board as the one responsible for what has been dubbed as “Barçagate.”
Because of the heat on the president and the suspension from someone in his inner circle, there has now been rumors that an elections may be held early if nothing else so as to decrease tension within the club.
In the meantime, Barcelona are set to hire PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct an internal audit of the club including the contract with I3 Ventures and whether it was worth paying them €1 million for their services.
Next. Lionel Messi opens up about the possible arrival of Neymar and Martinez. dark
Some answers and tensions may have quelled but this is unlikely the last chapter in this story. Especially if, on the field, Barcelona falter in their games against Napoli and Real Madrid in the Champions League and LaLiga, respectively.