FC Barcelona has revealed its new-look Board of Directors after several members resigned after voicing their displeasure over how the club is being run, whilst Emili Rousaud will also face legal charges by the Catalan club.
Rousand and fellow vice-president Enrique Tombas announced on Friday that they would be stepping down along with Silvio Elias, Maria Teixidor, Josep Pont and Jordi Calsamiglia, prompting President Josep Maria Bartomeu to remodel its board.
An FC Barcelona spokesperson stated: “At the proposal of the President, Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Board of Directors have approved the appointment of Jordi Moix, as Vice President for Economic and Equity; Pau Vilanova, as institutional vice president; Oriol Tomàs, as Vice President of the Commercial Area; Marta Plana, as Secretary of the Board of Directors; and David Bellver, as treasurer.
“Javier Bordas will be the manager responsible for the football first team, while Xavier Vilajoana will be in charge of Barça B, the youth teams and women’s football.
“These are very demanding challenges, and they are of extraordinary importance for the present and for the future of the institution.”
The announcement emphasised that Barcelona will take legal action against Rousaud after he claimed the side hired a social media company to make negative comments about its players and opponents. The strategy was allegedly put in place in order to boost the reputation of club officials. These such comments have led Barcelona to press charges on Rousaud.
The club continued: “In the face of grave and unfounded allegations made by Mr Emili Rousaud, the club’s former Vice President, in a number of media interviews, the Board of Directors categorically denies any action that could be described as corruption and have agreed to bring the corresponding criminal action accordingly.
“FC Barcelona cannot tolerate allegations that seriously damage the institution’s image. The criminal action to be taken is in defence of the honour of the club and its employees. The existence of an ongoing audit must put an end to this matter.
“The Board of Directors have agreed that, once the audit is completed, it will analyse the content and conclusions derived from it, publish them, and will make their decisions and take appropriate measures based on their final result.”
Barcelona’s lack of handling over the alleged social media scandal is regarded as a major factor in the former board members’ decision to resign from their roles, with the ex-employees expressing doubts over the side’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
