Joan Laporta faces accusations of hiding €80m in losses

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is under fire over allegedly hiding €80 million in losses and mismanaging key projects, after the former presidential candidate Victor Font made these damning accusations.

Font has called for elections “as soon as possible,” reigniting tensions ahead of the 2026 race, while raising questions about the transparency of the current management under Laporta.

Barcelona’s political and financial landscape has once again hit the headlines, with president Laporta at the forefront of new allegations of financial misconduct that threaten his leadership and the club’s stability.

Former presidential rival Font publicly accused the club of hiding €80 million in losses, urging for immediate elections to “protect the club’s social model.”

The calls for immediate elections and scrutiny have sparked uncertainties around the Catalan club, calling for reform just as Laporta prepares to seek another term in 2026.

The Barcelona presidential elections are scheduled to be called between March 15 and June 15, 2026, though the final date has not yet been released.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Font sharply criticised Laporta’s leadership and said: “Last year’s closing reflected losses of 90 million euros. We asked for a restatement because there were overvalued assets, and we were ignored.

“This year’s accounts hide 80 million euros more in losses that are restatements in last year’s accounts, and this hasn’t been mentioned; the Assembly isn’t aware of it. There’s a lack of transparency.”

The former presidential candidate also criticised the selection of the construction company Limak for the Spotify Camp Nou project: “We were told they would act quickly and with a smaller budget, but that’s not the case.

“Another deception. On Sunday, Joan Laporta will have to explain why Limak was selected despite internal reports that advised against it, as explained by the SER radio station on Monday.”

He added: “The proposal was to return [to Camp Nou] with 27,000 spectators, but now the club says it doesn’t make economic sense and that they’re waiting until they can host 45,000.”

Font is now calling for elections to be held as soon as possible to ensure transparency and return decision-making power to the club’s members.

“We need elections as soon as possible,” he stated. “The members will fight to ensure that the social model does not change and that the club is once again managed efficiently and responsibly.”

He argues that the current administration’s mismanagement has not only damaged finances but could also impact the sporting project under Hansi Flick.

“I have 100% confidence in Flick. Losing two games happened last year. What worries us is how the mismanagement directly impacts the sporting project. Flick must be hallucinating,” he concluded.

“First, the mismanagement on the tour. He doesn’t know where he’ll play. He started without having his squad registered.

“They gave away Inigo [Martinez], who was a pillar. We are concerned that the poor management will impact the sporting project and such an important asset.”