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Barcelona have called a press conference to explain their president's decision to quit and how the club will be run over the coming months. Follow the story live as it develops here...
Barcelona have called a press conference to explain their president's decision to quit and how the club will be run over the coming months. Follow the story live as it develops here...
Legally,
unless he resigns as well, vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu will be
obliged to succeed Rosell in the top job at Camp Nou.
However, Bartomeu may only assume an interim post until another man can be identified. Talks continue behind the scenes, but the Barca board are keen for Bartomeu to take over until 2016, when elections will be held.
However, Bartomeu may only assume an interim post until another man can be identified. Talks continue behind the scenes, but the Barca board are keen for Bartomeu to take over until 2016, when elections will be held.
One man who has been quick to put the boot in on Rosell is former Barca president Joan Laporta, who recently called his former VP "neurotic and immature". Ouch!
Laporta has also said he may stand for re-election in 2016 and, given his enormous success between 2003 and 2010, many fans will be happy with that news.
Laporta has also said he may stand for re-election in 2016 and, given his enormous success between 2003 and 2010, many fans will be happy with that news.
Earlier this week, Rosell and his board announced plans for a new €600m Camp Nou to be built on the current stadium site, with the idea set to be put to socios for a referendum in April.
What will happen with that proposed project is likely to be one of the questions put to the board this evening, among many others.
What will happen with that proposed project is likely to be one of the questions put to the board this evening, among many others.
Barca
running a little late with this, which is hardly surprising given that
it's such a momentous announcement for the Catalan club. Talks between
board members continue behind the scenes as they prepare to face some
tricky questions from the media.
Should start in around 15 minutes, Barca TV have just announced.
Should start in around 15 minutes, Barca TV have just announced.
Barcelona's
last game under Rosell took place on Wednesday night: a 4-1 win at
Levante in which Cristian Tello scored a hat-trick and Lionel Messi
claimed three asists for the first time in his career.
The Argentine was playing his 400th game for the Catalan club, but now the Copa del Rey clash in Valencia will also be remembered for being the final fixture in Rosell's tenure.
The Argentine was playing his 400th game for the Catalan club, but now the Copa del Rey clash in Valencia will also be remembered for being the final fixture in Rosell's tenure.
Barcelona's
four captains, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Victor Valdes,
are all present for the press conference, which is about to get
underway.
In Ocotober 2012, Rosell said: "Barcelona are the most transparent club in the world."
Ultimately, however, it is the lack of transparency which has led to his exit and, perhaps even more surprisingly, the damage has come from within as it was a Barcelona fan and socio, Jordi Cases, who took the Neymar case to court after seeking - and not receiving - a satisfactory explanation from the Catalan club.
Ultimately, however, it is the lack of transparency which has led to his exit and, perhaps even more surprisingly, the damage has come from within as it was a Barcelona fan and socio, Jordi Cases, who took the Neymar case to court after seeking - and not receiving - a satisfactory explanation from the Catalan club.
Rosell
took over from old foe Joan Laporta in 2010 and his mandate got off to a
controversial start as he stripped club legend Johan Cruyff of his
title of honorary president.
The 49-year-old's relationship with Pep Guardiola was also strained and the Catalan coach ultimately left the club in 2012. Rosell lost popularity with fans for the shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar and closing down the club's sport sections.
The departure of Eric Abidal, who had been promised a new deal but then didn't get one, also proved unpopular, as did the failure to convince Thiago Alcantara that his future lay at Camp Nou.
So many Barca fans will be pleased with the president's imminent exit, yet the club now face a period of uncertainty as they look to rebuild, initially under vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The 49-year-old's relationship with Pep Guardiola was also strained and the Catalan coach ultimately left the club in 2012. Rosell lost popularity with fans for the shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar and closing down the club's sport sections.
The departure of Eric Abidal, who had been promised a new deal but then didn't get one, also proved unpopular, as did the failure to convince Thiago Alcantara that his future lay at Camp Nou.
So many Barca fans will be pleased with the president's imminent exit, yet the club now face a period of uncertainty as they look to rebuild, initially under vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Rosell
was determined from the very beginning to bring in a Brazilian star
and, specifically, a Nike athlete. It is ironic, then, that the signing
he pushed for above all others should ultimately end in his downfall.
Here's a closer look at the case and what it means to the outgoing Barca president, who could even face a prison sentence if found guilty.
Here's a closer look at the case and what it means to the outgoing Barca president, who could even face a prison sentence if found guilty.
Rosell's
wife, Marta Pineda, and his father are in the press room for the
conference, which starts in around 10 minutes, informs Goal Spain's Barcelona correspondent, Pilar Suarez.
It's a
big day for FC Barcelona as president Sandro Rosell has decided to step
down. The 49-year-old has been in charge since 2010, but faces a court
case to explain just how the Catalan club signed Neymar from Santos and
where all the monies ended up.
The Spanish High Court announced on Wednesday that the investigation will continue and Rosell has clearly had enough. Following an EGM on Thursday evening, Barca have called a press conference to explain his decision and how the club will be run in the coming months. Stay here for LIVE coverage.
The Spanish High Court announced on Wednesday that the investigation will continue and Rosell has clearly had enough. Following an EGM on Thursday evening, Barca have called a press conference to explain his decision and how the club will be run in the coming months. Stay here for LIVE coverage.
