Four candidates presented enough signatures on Monday to progress to the final stage of Barcelona’s presidential race.
Joan Laporta and Victor Font are among four candidates who look set to do battle for the Barcelona presidency later this month.
Laporta, Font, Toni Freixa and Emili Rousaud all delivered signatures from enough socios on Monday to advance to the election on January 24.
Laporta, previously president for a decorated period between 2003 and 2010, presented 10,272 signatures, significantly ahead of Font’s 4,713, Frexia’s 2,822 and Rousand’s 2,510.
Validation of these signatures will begin on Tuesday, with confirmation of the final candidates announced on Thursday.
Jordi Farre, Xavier Vilajoana, Agusti Benedito, Luis Fernandez Ala and Pere Riera were unable to meet the threshold of 2,257 signatures.
Given the small amount by which he passed the cut-off total, Rousand might yet miss out on the final run-off.
Barca last week ratified January 24 as the date for their presidential election despite calls for it to be postponed amid rising cases of coronavirus.
The region of Catalonia has recently imposed new restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid-19 infections, with certain rules tightened for 10 days as of January 7.
While that does not interfere with the previously agreed date for the election, there had been increasing clamour for it to be delayed due to fears some members would not be able to vote.
But Barca confirmed on Thursday that the date of January 24 and “all procedures” have been accepted by the local authorities.
Carlos Tusquets has the presidency on an interim basis following the resignation of former club supremo Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Barcelona will hope the vote goes smoothly to bring some stability back to the club.
With Laporta – who has spoken confidently about Lionel Messi staying at the club – securing more signatures that the other three combined, he is the overwhelming favourite to take the helm for a second time.
While Barca are seeking stability off the field, their performances on the pitch have improved.
Barca are unbeaten in eight games in La Liga, winning their last three against Huesca, Athletic Bilbao and Granada.
They are still outsiders in the title race, as they trail leaders Atletico Madrid by four points having played three games more – but momentum could carry them deep into the season.
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