Laporta Opens Signature Office in Andorra for Barcelona Presidency Bid

Joan Laporta, FC Barcelona presidential candidate, opened a signature collection office in Andorra la Vella on Thursday for his "Defensem el Barça" campaign, attracting more than 50 club members and supporters as he works toward the 2,337 valid endorsements needed for his candidacy.

The office at Prat de la Creu 24 had launched the day before and remained open until Friday, from noon to 8 p.m., welcoming signatures from any FC Barcelona member irrespective of where they live. Laporta attended the midday opening with his team, then walked through the city center, stopping for photos with fans such as a family in Plaça de la Rotonda and a traffic officer.

He held a supporters' meeting from 1:30 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. gathering in Unnic's Green Box room. There, Laporta outlined his platform of continuity, focusing on economic recovery via debt restructuring, higher recurring income, major sponsorship and merchandising deals, and advances at Spotify Camp Nou. He endorsed retaining coach Hansi Flick, sporting director Deco, and the La Masia academy as priorities, alongside institutional stability, decisive leadership, member control, and proven administration.

Laporta praised Andorra's place in Barcelona's worldwide fanbase, describing it as "the country with the most culers per square meter" due to its dense membership, strong ties, and historical connections to Catalonia. "We feel at home here," he said, adding that the nation holds "a lot of importance in the Barçanista world." He stressed defending past achievements, including the club's financial rebound.

On possible alliances among rivals, Laporta called them "very respectable" but said his group would steer clear of deals, prioritizing their own project over any unions. He rejected external meddling, vowing a firm stance against prolonging issues like the Negreira case, which he labeled a "dark game" by novices with unchecked goals who file complaints to undermine the vote. Laporta also refuted recent claims of money laundering and illicit commissions reported to Spain's Audiencia Nacional, calling them baseless attempts to tarnish the process; the club had already dismissed them.

The trip marked three months since his November 28 event for Àlex Terés's book *Principat blaugrana* on Barça-Andorra bonds, where he secured 59.5% of local votes—his best outside Barcelona. It wrapped at Ana Cerezo Selecció restaurant, with Laporta carving ham in an apron for journalists and fans. If reelected on March 15, he promised a women's team preseason in Andorra, per the Andorra la Vella consul's idea, and discussed Legends or women's games plus routine visits.