Xtra Time Web Desk: Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu on Tuesday resigned from his post, along with the rest of the board members, as a consequence of the long-standing fallout with club captain Lionel Messi. The rest of the board of directors also resigned.
The 57 year old Bartomeu was under tremendous pressure after a public fall-out with Lionel Messi. He also revealed he had accepted proposals for the club to join a European Super League.
Bartomeu’s decision comes after several months of criticism in the wake of Barcelona’s 8-2 Champions League elimination to Bayern Munich, as well as Lionel Messi’s shock request to leave the club shortly after.
Also, his departure comes after over 20,000 supporters signed a petition calling for the president to go after becoming increasingly angry at the way the club is being run.
Bartomeu was in the post as the President of Barcelona since 2014. In a televised press conference he spoke about the delay to the referendum and how they were waiting to hear back from the Catalan government.
The vote will no longer be needed now that Bartomeu and Co. have quit, but an election will have to be held to decide on a new president.
A number of candidates have already made it clear they want to replace Bartomeu including Victor Font, Joan Laporta and Jordi Farre.