The Board of Directors has expressed, in the name of the Club, its full support and affection for former player and manager Johan Cruyff, one of the greatest Barça icons of all time, and our shared hope that he will recover from the illness that he has been diagnosed with this week.

The Board was sitting at an extraordinary meeting held today in the Club offices, where it reached the following agreements:

1. To postpone the decision regarding a new main shirt sponsor, which was initially to be made at the General Assembly this Sunday 25 October.
2. To issue a new deadline in order to reach the best possible sponsorship agreement, given that this contract would not come into force until 2016/17. The Board’s intent has always been to present the members with an agreement that matches the high value of the assets that it offers.
3. To call an Extraordinary Assembly of Delegate Members as soon as there is a definitive proposal to present.

The Board has also approved the appointment of the members of the Financial Commission, which will need to be ratified on Sunday at the Assembly. Carles Tusquets Trias de Bes shall remain on the Commission as its chairman; Antoni Esteve Cruella and Josep Maria Xercavins Lluch also remain; and they are now to be joined by Miquel Lladó and Joan Lluís Garcia Jobal. Director Silvio Elias shall continue as the director assigned to the Financial Commission.

• Miquel Lladó Casadevall (14/5/1957), FC Barcelona member number 123.567, is a graduate in Economic and Business Sciences, the former president of Bimbo and is currently a professor of Strategy at the IESE and a business consultant.

• Joan Lluís Garcia Jobal (21/10/1962), FC Barcelona member number 76.405, is a graduate in Business Sciences and has an MBA from ESADE. He worked for Arthur Andersen and is currently the manager of Angel Jobal SA.

Regarding the sanction imposed by UEFA on FC Barcelona in response to the calls for independence and ‘estelada’ flags waved at the Camp Nou during the Champions League game with Bayer Leverkusen, the Board has decided to ask UEFA to explain the legal grounds on which that sanction was based. This is the preliminary stage towards the appeal that FC Barcelona shall present to the Disciplinary Commission of the governing body of European football.

If the sanction is upheld, FC Barcelona shall be recurring to the CAS, and shall take all resources permitted, including ordinary justice and as far as the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, if necessary. In whatever case, FC Barcelona shall take whatever action is necessary in order to preserve its members’ freedom of expression.

The Board of Directors also discussed the case of an allegation made by an assistant referee who declared that he had received pressure from the Technical Refereeing Committee to favour Real Madrid at the forthcoming Clásico. The Board believes that it is essential for there to be an in-depth investigation into the case and hopes that it has all been a misunderstanding for the good of the prestige and credibility of the Professional Football League.

Finally, with regard to the Tant se val d’on venim project to support the refugees that have recently arrived in Europe, and promoted by the FC Barcelona Foundation, the Board has been informed on the different actions that will be arranged with social and administrative organisations, on the basis of the three core action areas of the project: fundraising, awareness and integration.

Look back at events at the Ordinary General Assembly at FC Barcelona.

- Upbeat Bartomeu lays out vision for the next six years

Speaking to the Club’s General Assembly on Sunday morning, Club President Josep Bartomeu reported back on last year’s successes and also took the opportunity to lay out his vision for the next six years of his Presidential mandate, Sr Bartomeu insisted: “we should be proud to be part of this Barça family – we have become the 21^st century’s number one Club in terms of our sporting success, social implantation, economic results and wealth. What’s more, we have done this as one of the few Clubs owned entirely by its members”

Reflecting on last season, the President stressed the need to build on “the new winning cycle we began with last year’s treble. We also completed the first phase of the “Espai Barça” project, consolidated the Club’s economic strategy, strengthened our capacity in its expanding global markets, maintained our position as a leaders on social media and digital communication, widened the range of our solidarity work through the Foundation and completed the “Penyes Segle XXI” project for the supporters clubs.

Strategic plan for the future

After last season’s successes, Sr Bartomeu outlined a seven point strategic plan for the Club’s future, which aims to:

• Maintain the determination to compete for and win all  the titles possible
• Continue to  strengthen the professional and amateur sections, as the world’s leading multi-discipline sports club
• Improve La Masia through the “Projecte Masia 360º” project
• Become the first club in the world to make such a determined global commitment to women’s sport
• Through the creation of the Universitat i l’Observatori del FC Barcelona, make the Club a reference point for sporting knowledge and excellence.
• Strengthen the Foundation in its work to help under privileged children through sport and reinforce its alliances with other prestigious foundations
• Continue with the policy of increasing global presence through sponsorship deals which will allow the Club to build on its leading position in the global digital market.
• Complete the new stadium with capacity for more than 100,000 fans.

Income and profits boost

The President was addressing the Club’s General Ordinary Assembly which opened on Sunday morning at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, which also approved the 2014/15 accounts and the 2015/16 budget. Economic Vice-President Susana Monje explained “last year we passed the 600 million mark in terms of income and we intend to go even further. The balance for last season showed 15 million Euros profit on income of 608 million, with a notable 35% increase in income from the Marketing department. Director General Ignacio Mestre presented the budget for 2015/16 season which includes an increase in income to 633 million Euros and profits of 20 million.

On Sunday Camp Nou witnessed a firm gesture of support in favour of the right to freedom of expression. The fans in their majority got behind the idea promoted by FC Barcelona, the placing of a 15 x 4 metre banner on the field demanding respect for one of the most fundamental of rights.

Work began at midday just outside the stadium. Two graffiti artists, Adrià and Víctor from Axe Colours, began work on a giant sheet of material, including the symbol of the freedom of expression (a mask with a line through the mouth) in the middle, with two complementing images. The artists took over five hours to complete their on the piece of material, using around 60 pots of paint of various colours.

Before the game, during the General Assembly, the Barça president Josep Maria Bartomeu had given a preview of the Club’s position which was made clear a few hours later at Camp Nou. “Now enough is enough,” he stated clearly on the subject of UEFA’s decision to fine FC Barcelona due to the presence of Catalan independence flags at recent Champions League games. The president set out the Club’s plan of action: “In first place we will appeal to the UEFA Appeals Committee, and if that does not work then we will go to CAS (Court for Arbitration in Sport). Should that fail then we will go to the Supreme Court in Switzerland and if necessary, to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.”

Just before the start of the game, with the banner being brought to the centre of the pitch at Camp Nou by a group of children, the following message was played on the stadium PA: “FC Barcelona want to express publicly their support and respect for the right to freedom of expression. It is a fundamental right for all individuals to express their ideas freely and without censure, recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Visca Barça and Visca Catalaunya!” A moment that was celebrated with applause from the stands.

Assemblea de compromissaris FC Barcelona 2015... por fcbarcelona

Vice president for sport Jordi Mestre and the director of professional sport Albert Soler gave a conference on Monday to explain the new structure for FC Barcelona’s sports ‘sections’. The big change is the instruction of a position to be known as the manager of each sport.

Joan Creus has been appointed this role for the basketball section, while David Barrufet does likewise for handball and Toni Miró for roller hockey, with the futsal manager as yet undecided. As Albert Soler explained “this person is the highest authority for their section. That sport will be run under their responsibility and competence, from the first team to the academy. And he will also be the visible face of that sport and the person who will explain the progress of the different projects”

Technical secretaries

Each manager will be assisted by a technical secretary, a dual role to be served by the head coaches of each team, namely Xavi Pascual, Marc Carmona and Ricard Muñoz in the cases of handball, futsal and roller hockey. Former first team captain Rodrigo de la Fuente will be the technical secretary for the basketball first team and Pere Capdevila will perform the same functions for the academy. The futsal youth system will be overseen by Txus Lahoz and Edu Castro will do likewise for the roller hockey academy – with the handball youth technical secretary yet to be named.

 Promoting youth sport

“We believe we are the greatest multi-sports club in the world and to keep things that way we need to have a solid structure from the grass roots up” explained Albert Soler. “The idea is for as many members of the first team to have been produced at the club.”

Joan Creus added that “my role is to set objectives, and plan the first team’s philosophy. I’ll also be helping Rodrigo de la Fuente as technical secretary.” Former handball coach David Barrufet described “a sporting, coaching and educational project, whereby all the new players in the youth system will be working to reach the first team, while we shall always be working at the same time on fostering their education.” And Toni Miró concluded by saying that “the roller hockey section is working very well and there is a lot of pressure on us because we have won so much in the past. I want to help make sure that as many players as possible are products of our own youth system.”

FC Barcelona is pleased to present the Duo Pack, a promotion that allows fans to buy super-cheap tickets for the Champions League game with BATE Borisov and another for one of two home Liga matches, either the one against Real Sociedad or the one with Deportivo la Coruña.

This special offer is available from just 53 euros from the club website at www.fcbarcelona.com between October 26 and November 4. The game with BATE is on November 4 and afterwards, from November 6, approximately, fans that have opted for the package will be sent a promotional code that they can use to get a free ticket for either the game with Real Sociedad (November 28/29) or with Deportivo la Coruña (December 12/13), both at the Camp Nou.

The 53 euro package is for seats in the Goal 3 lower zone, while for 63 euros the offer is for tickets in the Goal 2 lower zone and for 79 euros you can watch from the Lateral zones. The Duo Pack means an overall saving of 49% on what you would have to pay to see the two games separately.

BUY THE DUO PACK

For the very first time, international viewers will be able to watch Barça live on YouTube, which will broadcast Wednesday's Copa del Rey match between FC Barcelona and Villanovense. Kick off is set for 8.30pm CET.

La Liga and Mediapro have reached an agreement to broadcast Copa del Rey matches outside Spain. The platform chosen was YouTube.

The match will be broadcast live and in High Definition, and will be accessible to users in the following countries: the UK, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Ukraine, Switzerland, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Brazil and Argentina. Other countries may yet be added to the agreement.

The games will be available through pay-per-view or with a subscription and may be purchased on www.youtube.com/laligatvcopa. Single games may be purchased for €4.99, and the full Copa del Rey tournament will be €19.99. The Final is not included in the full season package.

YOUTUBE Villanovense - FCB

International fans in the countries listed can now enjoy a new way to watch Barça in the Copa del Rey on a digital platform with over one billion users.

Do you remember two seasons a young Chinese fans asked his girlfriend to marry him? Liu Shutong presented Liu Panqiu with an engagement ring on the sidelines of the pitch at Camp Nou as part of a prize from ‘Action Barcelona’, a competition put on in China by Catalunya Turisme and FC Barcelona that began several years ago.

In the month of March 2014 the Chinese fans recorded the moment for posterity: “I don’t know when but I will be back, for sure,” commented Shutong last season when he asked his partner to marry him. Eighteen months later he has been true to his word as he came back to the very same stretch of turf to exchange rings with his wife in the first wedding to take place at Camp Nou since the historic treble last season.

A courtship that began at Camp Nou ends in a... por fcbarcelona

The best place to celebrate a wedding

Liu Shutong thought there would be no better place to celebrate his wedding than Camp Nou, the place where he not only asked his wife to marry him, but where there romance began. The two Chinese Barça fans met at the Barça supporters’ club in the city of Wuhan. Panqiu and Shutong share their passion for Barça together and the important events of the last few years in the Club’s history.

“Barça has been part of our love and our life, an important part. Being able to get married at Camp Nou means a lot to us, it’s the dream of any Barça fan and we are very proud of having been able to do it for real.” The bride, unable to hide her joy, took her husband by the hand, showing off the rings standing on the Club badge on the field, exclaimed “Let our love live like our feelings for Barça!”

FC Barcelona and Chang announced Wednesday the renewal of their sponsorship agreement for the next three years. This renewal solidifies the beer brand as a Regional Partner of the Club in Thailand, where the company is based, and ten other countries in the Southeast Asia market: Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines and East Timor. This agreement, managed by the Club's office in Hong Kong, includes, among other things, image and association rights, corporate hospitality, digital assets and promotional rights.

The event, held at The Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel was attended by, on behalf of FC Barcelona, the Club's CEO, Ignacio Mestre and its Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Xavier Asensi. Representing Chang was Prapakon Thongtheppairot, the Senior Vice President of Thai Beverage Company Limited. Also attending were: Sakon Wannapong, the Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand; Ong-Arj Kosinkar, the President of the Thai Premier League; and Matthew Chantawanich, a famous Thai actor and TV host.

Statement by Ignacio Mestre, CEO of FC Barcelona

“Over the past few years, Chang and FC Barcelona have together been instrumental in bringing a lot of life to the football community within Thailand and the region. We are truly happy that the deal is continuing as it a great opportunity to create a long lasting and sustainable friendship, hereby creating exciting and memorable activities together for the Thai and Asian FC Barcelona fans.”

Statement by Prapakon Thongtheppairot, Senior Vice President of Thai Beverage Public Company Limited

"The extension of the Chang partnership is our gift to the fans of Thailand and the entire Southeast Asia region for their support of Barcelona. FC Barcelona has a strong regional presence with fans that cheer and give support throughout every football season. The agreement further solidifies the friendship between Chang and Barcelona, and we are delighted to continue our partnership for the second time. As a Thai brand, we proudly announce to the world that we intend to inspire, motivate and instil positive thinking in young people and adults through a love for Thai football."

The best photos from October.

October is now over and November is here with its own challenges and objectives for the various Barça teams and the Club itself. However, now is a good time to look back at what last month has left us in the form of videos.

Landmarks in the first team

During the month of October, four players from the first celebrated very special dates. The first was Neymar who against Sevilla played his 100th game in official competition for the blaugranes. To mark the occasion the Brazilian gave an exclusive interview to the Club’s official media to look back over his 100 matches in a Barça shirt.

Just a few days later on 16 October it was Leo Messi’s turn as the Argentine celebrated 11 years since his official debut for FC Barcelona.

Then, Luis Suárez marked a year since his official debut in a Barça shirt with a hat-trick in the league against Eibar.

Success in the professional sections

The month began well with a trophy for the basketball team. Xavi Pascual’s squad claimed victory in the Endesa Super Cup in Málaga, beating Herbalife Gran Canaria in the semi-finals and Unicaja in the final by a score of 82-60. The Super Cup also saw Barça Lassa player Pau Ribas voted as MVP.

Elsewhere, the handball section mad history. With the 34-21 victory over Ciudad Encantada, Barça moved past Ciudad Real’s record of 67 consecutive victories in the Asobal League.

The basketball, handball, futsal, roller hockey and Barça Women’s teams came together to support the ‘Tant se val d’on venim’ campaign for the Syrian refugees.

A brilliant goal ‘made in La Masia’

The games involving the youth teams provide unforgettable moments on a weekly basis, and last month even more so than usual. This goal scored by the U12 A side in their game against Cornellà ends with a finish that is as cool as they come.

The FC Barcelona Museum was the venue on Wednesday for an exclusive screening of the documentary More than a Treble, which is opening worldwide this very evening. Promoted by Gatorade, the Club’s official partner for sports nutrition, the documentary takes an in-depth look at the big changes to the first team, and how they went from a season in which they only won the Spanish Super Cup to the 2014-15 season, which ended with them winning the second treble in the Club’s history.

Narrated by former Barça player Juliano Belletti, who attended today’s event, the documentary begins with references to the slogan ‘More than a Club’, to the Masia and also to the team’s unique playing style that is so highly renowned around the world. It goes on to explore FC Barcelona’s dominance over the last decade, in which it has won four Champions Leagues, six Spanish Ligas and three Copa del Rey trophies, with Leo Messi being named World Player of the Year four times in six years. The movie also looks at the disappointment of the 2013-14 season, and how it was followed by such an amazingly successful 2014-15 campaign.

The science behind the success

With appearances by Leo Messi, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suárez, as well as different doctors, the documentary examines the turnaround in the team’s fortunes and how they were able to win everything once again. In addition to the arrival of Luis Enrique and several new players, it also highlights the specific work done by Gatorade and its Sports Science Institute to identify and personalise the individual needs of each player, in terms of every aspect from nutrition to hydration.

All of this, together with the strength of a squad that is able to succeed in the face of whatever adversity, and under the leadership of Leo Messi, led to some stunning performances and the conquest of the Liga and the Copa del Rey, and finally the Champions League in Berlin too.

Once again Camp Nou staked its claim. Minutes prior to the match between FC Barcelona and BATE Borisov, a 45 square metre banner was unfurled with a clear message: Respect.

As on other occasions, the second tier of the sideline stands was the place where the micro-perforated banner was displayed, just when players from both teams were taking the field, while the PA system played the Barça Anthem.

Bartomeu defends Club members

"It is normal that club members want to express themselves freely," FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu said about the banner. "The public has made use of its freedom of expression and has also cheered on the team."

The public reaction to UEFA's latest fine for the display of 'Estelades' — Catalan flags typically flown as a protest symbol and to support independence — took centre stage in the moments prior to FC Barcelona's 3–0 victory over BATE in the Champions League, UEFA’s signature event.

Bartomeu steadfastly defended that reaction, which was highly predictable given the months of publicity stemming from UEFA's decision to fine the Club €30,000 Euros for displaying the Estelades during the Champions League Final last June in Berlin, Germany. The Club was then fined again, this time for €40,000, for a similar display earlier this season during a Group Stage match against Bayer Leverkusen at Camp Nou. The fans — and the Barça family — were indignant.

"The members want to express themselves with total liberty," said Bartomeu, emphasising the peaceful nature of the protest. "The observers saw that the behaviour of our fans was excellent, and I believe they'll make a note of that."

The Club President said it was good that UEFA has decided not to apply any more fines while the others are being appealed. Nevertheless, Bartomeu said, this is not over.

"We have to be cautious,” he said. “And I don't think that the appeal is going to be fast, but we won't stop until this goes wherever it has to go, until the freedom of expression of our members is respected, so that there is freedom of speech, and so that Article 16 of the UEFA gets changed."

Ambi Pur and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement which makes the brand of air fresheners a new regional sponsor of the Club in six countries and territories throughout Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong. This new sponsorship agreement stems from the good results that the Asian division of the American multinational company Procter & Gamble has enjoyed since 2013, when it partnered with the Club for the first time through the shampoo brand Head & Shoulders.

The agreement with Ambi Pur is for two years with both parties expressing the will and intention to be able to expand it as was done recently with Head & Shoulders.

The official presentation took place this morning in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was attended by FC Barcelona Asia-Pacific region Managing Director, Xavier Asensi, while Ambi Pur was represented by Nicolas La Giroday, CEO of Procter & Gamble in Malaysia and Singapore, and Zulfiqar Mahar, global director of the Ambi Pur brand.

One result of this agreement, among others, was the organization of the "Win A Trip To Barcelona Contest,” offering fans the chance to win exclusive Ambi Pur products and, as a grand prize, giving away a trip to Barcelona to visit Camp Nou and watch a game in person.

With this agreement the Club continues in its efforts to partner with leading brands in key markets with a well-defined strategy: to create sponsorships in various product categories and which have a determined range from the regional up to the global level. This allows for optimal performance in each category while internationalizing the Club, giving it a presence in different regions around the world.

Statements

Xavier Asensi, Asia-Pacific Managing Director of FC Barcelona:

"Continuing to seek excellence in every way possible, it is an honour for the Club to be associated with the leading brand in its sector. We are very happy since this agreement allows us to expand our business relationship with a large corporation such as Procter & Gamble. The synergy between its leading brands in different sectors and territories is something really interesting for our club. We hope with this new agreement, FC Barcelona will come even closer to our fans in the region."

Zulfiqar Mahar, director of Ambi Pur:

"We are proud that Ambi Pur has grown to become one of the most trustworthy brands in the world. We believe in providing fresh air to our fans and we strive to bring this experience to more consumers while relating to them through their passions."

[[DES_1]] The French National Rugby League (LNR) has presented the final of this year’s edition of the Top 14, which will be played on June 24 at 9.00pm CET in the Camp Nou stadium.

One of the strongest club rugby union championships in the world, the Top 14 features some of the greatest players in the game, including several members of the All Black team that won the World Cup last weekend: Dan Carter (Racing 92), Ma'a Nonu (RC Toulon), Colin Slade and Conrad Smith (Pau). It also includes RC Toulon, winner of the last three editions of the European Rugby Champions Cup (formerly the Heineken Cup).

The official ambassador for the match is a well-known face at the Camp Nou, Éric Abidal, the former Barça star and French international who will be supporting the event through his Foundation. "It will be a historic moment in an amazing stadium and in a city I love” he said at today’s presentation, where he also took to the pitch to show off his skills with the oval ball. “Rugby is a sport that shares the values of my foundation.”

"Organising the final in Barcelona is a challenge” added Paul Goze, president of the LNR. “It’s a big city, with a party atmosphere, and with the biggest stadium in Europe.  And it’s very close to the land of rugby.”

Tickets for the match are available at the LNR website. With the Camp Nou holding 99,354 spectators, there is the potential for the game to set all kinds of rugby attendance records!

We are pleased to announce the winner of the October edition of the CAMP NOU EXPERIENCE photography contest. The Instagram user that wins an official first team shirt is Jadardakani with 228 votes. To claim the prize, this user must write to campnouexperiencefcb@gmail.com giving the address where the prize is to be sent.

We remind you that the contest involves taking a picture while enjoying the Camp Nou Experience and copying one of the first team players. Then post the picture on Instagram with the hashtag #CampNouExperience. The club will pick the best photo each month and they’ll get to win an official football shirt.

Get tickets for the Camp Nou Experience

There’s plenty of hot FC Barcelona action going on this weekend. The football team have a high profile game at the Camp Nou against Villarreal, but there’s a lot more going on this Saturday and Sunday in both football and other sports. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, here’s a guide to this weekend’s highlights. Note that the handball team is not playing this weekend due to international matches.

(All times CET)

Saturday 7 November

1.00pm: ElPozo Múrcia v FC Barcelona Lassa (FUTSAL). Second placed Barça visit a side down in seventh, but one of the traditionally strongest sides in the Spanish LNFL.

5.00pm: FC Barcelona v Stadium Casablanca (U19 FOOTBALL). Gabri’s side have won their last four games in the domestic championship and the UEFA Youth League. Watch this live on Barça TV and there’s also a live stream on www.fcbarcelona.com.

8.00pm: Iserlohn v FC Barcelona Lassa (ROLLER HOCKEY). After winning the Spanish Super Cup, attention switches back to the European League and a trip to Germany.

Sunday 8 November

12.00pm: Fundación Albacete v FC Barcelona (WOMEN’S FOOTBALL). Xavi Llorens’ team need the three points from this trip to La Mancha to keep up the pressure on leaders Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club in what’s proving to be highly competitive domestic championships.

12.00pm: FC Barcelona B v CD Llosetenc (FOOTBALL). The reserves will be looking to bounce back from the setback against Reus Deportiu, and they have a great chance to do against the team currently propping up the table.

12.30pm: Morabanc Andorra v FC Barcelona Lassa (BASKETBALL). Barça are 4-0 so far in the Liga Endesa and this weekend travel to the Pyrenees to take on a side that is 1-3.

4.00pm: FC Barcelona v Villarreal. The big event of the weekend as the joint leaders of La Liga take on a team that’s got off to a fine start to the season and is just four points behind the top two.

FC Barcelona welcomed on Sunday a delegation formed by members of Toshiba Medical Systems, led by their vice president Chikao Kaminjima. The FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and Chikao Kamijima were able to chat about matters related to both organisations in the directors’ box at Camp Nou at half time during the game against Villarreal that ended in a 3-0 win for Barça.

The delegation from the Japanese company are in Barcelona for a few days in order to attend a preparatory meeting for the RSNA Congress (Radiological Society of North America) which will take place in Chicage from 29 November to 5 December. During the congress the latest technological innovations in medical applications that aim to improve the diagnostic abilities of specialists and improve the quality of life of patients will be presented.

It is worth remembering that from the month of July and for the next five years Toshiba Medical Systems are an official sponsor of FC Barcelona’s medical systems. Thanks to this agreement, the Club has access to the Toshiba Ultrasound and MRI Engineering  departments which provide the latest advances in image diagnostics, support and advice for the FC Barcelona medical staff.

The Board of Directors, in their meeting which took place on Monday in the Club Offices, have been informed of the two matters referring to FIFA and UEFA that are pending resolution.

With regards to UEFA, the Board of Directors have examined all the details of the appeal presented to the Appeals Committee of Europe’s governing body, once received the legal basis for the sanction imposed concerning the Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen. Should the appeal not be accepted, the Board of Directors have restated their decision to appeal to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport), and if necessary, the civil courts or even the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

With regards to FIFA, the Club is still awaiting a pronouncement from the organisation over the inscription of the player Arda Turan to cover the long term absence of Rafinha. The Club is still awaiting a written response in order to be able to register new players at youth team level. Finally, a pronouncement from FIFA is still awaited on those young players who cannot be registered so that they can continue their sporting and academic education at La Masia. If in the following weeks FIFA’s administrative silence continues, FC Barcelona will assume this legally binding step no longer applies and will present an appeal to CAS due to lack of legal protection.

The Board of Directors have agreed the naming of Jordi Monés as director designated to push forward the Barcelona Universitas project, approved at the last Assembly of Members’ Representatives.

Finally, the Board has approved the creation of 11 new Barça Supporters’ Clubs, six of which are internationally based.

FC Barcelona were one of the main attractions in the fourth edition of the Gala of Catalan Football Stars that took place in the Old Estrella Damm Factory in Barcelona. The blaugrana delegation was led by president Josep Maria Bartomeu and the first team player Gerard Piqué who received the award for the best Catalan player of 2015. Barça Women’s team player Alexia Putellas was given the award for best female Catalan player which was collected on her behalf by FC Barcelona Jordi Mestre.

[[CITA_1]]

The president Josep Maria Bartomeu was joined in the delegation by vice presidents Mestre and Jordi Cardoner as well as director Jordi Moix and the director of professional sports at the Club, Albert Soler. Gerard Piqué went up to receive his award, his team mate Aleix Vidal was one of the contenders also for the distinction, accompanied by president Bartomeu, Andreu Subies, president of the Catalan Football Federation and Enric Crous, the general director of the Damm Group. The Barça defender said last season “I performed at a level that I wanted to achieve at the beginning. Players’ careers are long, they have ups and downs and I like to achieve goals. I feel proud after winning the Champions League and achieve the goals that I had set for myself.” The blaugrana received a message of congratulations via a video from former Barça captain Xavi Hernández. Piqué also thanked FC Barcelona for their support, adding, “I also thank my team mates and family, for without them I would not be here today.”

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Barça vice president of the Sporting Area Jordi Mestre accepted the award for best female Catalan player on behalf of Alexia Putellas. The Barça Women’s team player was unable to appear in person as she is currently in Holland with the team as they prepare for Wednesday’s last 16 Champions League tie against Twente.

Via a video played in the hall, Alexia Putellas thanked the Federation and the jury before adding “I dedicate this award to my team mates and the people who are there for the day to day as well as the coaching staff. Also to the other nominees Marta Torrejón (current Barça player) and Marta Corredera (former Barça player.)”