Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of Barcelona, officially announced his resignation after 9:00 p.m. The top leader of the Barça club, who is leaving with his entire Board of Directors after six years in office, explained the reasons and his roadmap.
“I appear to communicate my resignation and that of the Board. It is a serene decision, considered and agreed with my colleagues. They have always accompanied me and have resigned for Barça …
… Today I received the reply from the Generalitat. I read it: 'The Government reiterates that there are no legal or health impediments (…) as long as the PROCICAT requirements are included'. They ask for a decentralized decision. They ignore our request made to have 15 days of margin to celebrate the minimum measures of sanitary protection (…). They have decided not to give us what they have asked the State Government. They have washed their hands. After this noon, a Censorship Vote Table has been convened on November 15 and 16. Not only have they refused, but they have warned that they would bring legal action …
Yesterday he spoke of the perplexity about certain decisions. But they are irresponsible. His statements are contradictory. At a time when the Government takes measures against citizens, and where there is also talk of collapsing the health system, their measures are irresponsible. We cannot call the Vote of Censorship in these circumstances. We leave the club in the hands of a Management Board. I hope that the Manager can carry out our decisions …
…Why haven't we resigned before? After the elections, leaving was the easiest thing to do, but decisions had to be made. And it had to be done in the middle of a world crisis. Who had to hire a new coach, to defend the continuity of Messi, of the adequacy of wages? We understood that it had to be assumed. There was no reason to resign with elections already called for March, despite our wear and tear. A club like Barça must have orderly transitions…
… They say that I have a great capacity for resilience; I do not know. But I have experience. I have always argued that our capacity for self-criticism will make us stronger. I have been insulted and threatened. These days there are people who ask me what encouraged me to join the presidency of Barça. I have tried to do my job humbly. We resign and do so without implementing economic measures. I hope the salary reduction can be adjusted. I hope that the management committee can close it. “