Tonight at 7 pm local time, Barcelona vice-president Alfons Godall has called a press conference, in which he is expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency of FC Barcelona.This blog will follow the events. Re-fresh!
Two hours before the press conference, Alfons Godall put a last message on his Facebook page: "Friends. I will put on a suit and a tie and I'm going to our seat!! I've prepared everything and now i can only hope that everything goes well!! Come join us there!!!! Visca el Barça i Visca Catalunya!!!!"
7:10
Godall has not appeared yet in his headquarters.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is present at the candidacy's seat in the centre in Barcelona, as are vice-presidents Rafael Yuste and Joan Boix.
Alfons Godall appearing on stage, gets supporting hug from Laporta.
7:15
All board members are present, except the five who support Barcelona assets vice-president Jaume Ferrer.
Sala i Martin will take the word.
Sala: "We are here to announce that all club members will be able to vote for the continuation of the dream we are currently living, among others thanks to the best president in the history in the history of the club.
The president is a key figure, he should stick to a model. And that's not a galacticos model or a samba model. Our model started in the 1970s with Rinus Michiels and was continued by Cruyff in the 1990s. For Laporta, this model was clear from the start. And one man was by his side from the start as vice-president: Alfons Godall.
A president should also be able to take decisions. And Laporta has taken them. In December 2003, he took the right decision not to dismiss Frank Rijkaard. Godall was by his side, while a certain vice-president wanted to replace Rijkaard.
A few months later, Laporta took the decision to sign a player from Madrid, Samuel Eto'o, whil one vice-president had doubts because he didn't want to annoy the president of Madrid. But Alfons Godall was on the right side.
In 2008, the president took the correct and brave decision to sign Josep Guardiola. And by his side, there was Alfons Godall, again. I present you: Alfons Godall."
7:25
Godall takes the word.
"Sorry for the people who are having to stand outside because of the number of people present. Welcome to my friend Jan Laporta and everyone who is present.
I announce that Alfons Godall will take part in the elections. We present the slogan and the logo: +BARCA. Mes Barça. More Barça. We also present this headquarters, that has proven to be too small today.
We have lived the best period in the history of the club, as several older members who are presented will be able to confirm, like my father who's a member for over 50 years.
The team has won 11 trophies in 6 years, and there could follow more. The trophies have been won by a certain model, based on the Holland school. Besides the sports results, we have also cleaned up the economic situation.
We want more Barça, more successes, more economic growthe, a turnover of 1.000 millions in six years. We want more assets, more fan clubs, more youth academy, more emotions, more sections, more members, more solidarity, a more global Barça. That's why I present my candidacy."
7:40
End of speech Godall.
