Joan Laporta dimmised as a FC Barcelona's president | FC Barcelona
Laporta’s resignation was formalised at a board meeting on 9 February 2026, with the club publishing the official call for presidential elections scheduled in just over a month.
Under Article 42.f of Barcelona’s statutes, a sitting president must relinquish the post to be eligible to stand for re-election, a procedural step Laporta took alongside several board members who also plan to contest the vote.
This announcement was published by Barcelona’s official site stating not only Laporta will be leaving the board but some other board members will be following him to retirement.
First Vice-President Rafa Yuste has taken over as interim president, leading the club and a reduced but valid board until a new president is elected and takes office later this year.
The election notice sets the campaign clock ticking, with Laporta expected to compete against rival candidates including Víctor Font, Xavier Vilajoana, and Marc Ciria as members prepare to cast ballots on 15 March.
