Joan Laporta Wins Fourth Term as Barcelona President

BARCELONA, Spain — Joan Laporta secured a decisive victory in FC Barcelona's presidential election on Sunday, earning a fourth term that will keep him at the helm of the storied Spanish soccer club through 2031.

The 63-year-old Laporta, who previously led Barcelona from 2003 to 2010 and returned in 2021, captured approximately 68 percent of the votes, according to club officials. His sole challenger, Victor Font, conceded defeat shortly after results began trickling in, congratulating Laporta on what he called an unquestionable win. The club confirmed the outcome around 11 p.m. local time, following a day of voting that overlapped with Barcelona's 5-2 league triumph over Sevilla at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium.

More than 48,000 of the club's roughly 114,000 members participated, casting ballots at the Camp Nou or four other polling stations across Catalonia in northeastern Spain and in Andorra. Font, addressing reporters through local media, expressed disappointment but acceptance of the result. "We are sad. We had the illusion of transforming the club and bringing it closer to its people," Font said. "It's a shame, but we accept the result as it cannot be otherwise. We...