FC BARCELONA

The Barça president has expressed “the club’s utmost respect” for Josep Guardiola after his decision not to stay on as manager next season and has thanked him for everything he has done for what he calls “your Barça”.

After stating that the aim is to be able to administrate “Pep’s legacy”, Rosell announced that the next manager of FC Barcelona will be Tito Vilanova.

Sandro Rosell has announced on Friday that Josep Guardiola will not be staying on next season. He described the decision as “the most difficult” that he has had to accept in his time as president of FC Barcelona. After expressing “the club’s utmost respect” for the outgoing manager’s decision, the Barcelona president highlighted that “the club is more mature and solid than ever … which has to be the basis for consolidating a strong and unified future”.

The president constantly reiterated his gratitude to Guardiola, and for a number of reasons. “For the happiness you have given us and for all you have done for your Barça; for having perfected a footballing model that can never be questioned again; for having represented the institution in such an exemplary fashion, honouring the values that define us as a Club; for all your support, affection and love”.

It is for all these reasons that Sandro Rosell has no doubt that fans “will be eternally grateful to the greatest manger in our history … with all my heart, thank you very much, Pep”, the president reiterated.

Looking ahead to next season, Rosell expressed aloud his desire for the club to administer the legacy that Guardiola has left, and what he says will always be called “the Pep system.” Having revealed that Tito Vilanova will be the next FC Barcelona manager, the president said that he is convinced that “he will be working from an excellent base … he has to improve whatever he can and never settle for things as they are”.

The trophy of pride

Rather than any of the many trophies that FC Barcelona have won in the last four seasons, Sandro Rosell feels that what matters the most about everything Guardiola has achieved “is not any particular championship, but rather the trophy of pride. It is thanks to him the we have won it. Since I can remember being a Barça fan, I have never seen a reaction like the one I saw on Tuesday at the Camp Nou. It’s clearly not a trophy that will ever be in the museum, but it will always be there in the spirit of the Camp Nou”. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

FC Barcelona and works fully in planning for next season. Sandro Rosell met Wednesday with Andoni Zubizarreta. And on Thursday it appears that will do so with Pep Guardiola.

Club azulgrana president, Sandro Rosell, met Wednesday afternoon with the director of professional football area, Andoni Zubizarreta, to address various aspects of what has to be Barça 2012/13.

The summit took place in the office of Rosell at the offices of the club, started about six o'clock in the afternoon and lasted a little over an hour.

One issue that surely came to the fore, was the future of Pep Guardiola. The Barcelonista coach contract ends on 30 June, and has not communicated its decision to continue or not.

The coach himself admitted, after completing the Barça-Chelsea, who once ruled the team's options in the Champions League and the theme of renewal "and tap", but did not specify in what way or what his decision.

In any case, it is clear that the mystery about its continuity, or otherwise, at Barça will be unveiled shortly. This Thursday there could be a meeting between Rosell and Guardiola to clarify the situation permanently. (via SPORT)

The Barça President expressed his regret at the defeat but also his pride at the attitude of the players and the fans who: “gave a message of maturity tonight”.

As to Guardiola’s future, the President declared: “we are still confident of renewing his contract . I’m sure that if he’s made his mind up, he’ll let us know when he thinks it’s best”.

Sandro Rosell spoke to reporters just after the defeat to Chelsea and declared: “it’s a real blow. I want to congratulate Chelsea. This hasn’t been a good week for the Club members, but we’ve given a message of maturity tonight. We showed ourselves to be a civilised crowd, who supported the players and the coaches at all times. We lost and that’s part of the game, but we couldn’t ask for any more from the players. I am proud of them and the coaching staff, but especially of the fans who have shown that they are the best in the world”.

Rosell continued: “the team has shown character and a desire to win the tie. It’s a game and tonight we didn’t have the luck we needed. We had many more chances than they did, but they beat us”. The President had earlier gone down to the changing rooms to speak to the players: “I wanted to shake their hands and congratulate them on their attitude and the great image they showed the whole world. I guess that like all Barça fans I was confident we would get through, but when we got into the last quarter of an hour, you could see it was really hard for us - the ball just didn’t want to go in, we’ve simply got to accept that”.

Rosell was asked about Leo Messi and he was quick to make it clear that: “Messi has already given us so much – there’s no more to say. He’s still the best player in the world and we are very lucky to have him here with us. He was unlucky with the penalty. Our opponents know he’s the best and they put two or three players onto him”.

Guardiola announced that he would be meeting with Rosell to clarify his future and the President reiterated the board’s desire for him to continue at the Club: “we are still confident of renewing his contract . I’m sure that if he’s made his mind up, he’ll let us know when he thinks it’s best. We are all confident that the group will stay together and that next year we’ll be in with a good chance again to win all the competitions at this stage of the season. Right now, we need to deal with the defeat – there will be time to talk about the future”. (via FCBarcelona.com)

"In football there are cycles and there will be a day that Barça will not win."
"Messi is not for sale" by a lot of money that is offered to the club.
"We have imposed a policy of extreme austerity two years."

The president of Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, said that the model never give up football today, but has stated that in the economic field there are improvements that make following the path of German Bayern Munich.

In a Sunday interview with the French newspaper "L'Equipe", which devotes a special Barcelona, ​​Rosell said that "we will ensure that in future our guys continue to play with the same approach." "Barca have won some titles in a style that is not theirs. To the members did not like, were not happy despite the victory," said Barcelona president.

Rosell said that "after winning all their" club "should be maintained, trying to follow among the best in the field and off." "In football there are cycles and there will be a day that Barça will not win. At that time we will continue to defend our exemplar, our uniqueness. And off the field is where you get it, because by dint of perseverance, success becomes the field," noted.

The President considered that their project is "to making the Barça also an economic model," which was not in recent years. "We inherited a debt of 500 million euros. We have imposed a policy of extreme austerity for two years and have received support from the Foundation of Qatar. Without that help we would be in great difficulty," he said.

Rosell said he hoped to place on the club's constitution some rules, such as the debt is "acceptable" or that jeopardizes the heritage of the club, as he said "was about to do" his predecessor Joan Laporta.

Rosell said support reforms of the UEFA president, Michel Platini, including the defense of the clubs that are not corporations. "Competition with corporations is difficult (...) but long term we who have more success. A millionaire, a patron, comes one day get tired of putting money and the club ceases to exist," said .

In this sense, Rosell said: "Messi is not for sale" how much money you are offered. "A corporation would sell because it is a company seeking profits. It is not our case," he said. (via MD)

Sandro Rosell expected to be "a great day" with Abidal recovery that is under observation.

Sandro Rosell attended the launch of a campaign on youth and unemployment by the Archbishop of Barcelona, Lluis Martinez-Sistach, and the president of RCD Espanyol, Barcelona Ramon, and referred to the state of Abidal after his liver transplant operation.

The Barça president could not hide his optimism and gave a message of hope to finish all the best.

"Today might be a day round because we know that Abidal and his cousin do very well after the operation," he said, as recorded by Catalunya Radio.

For now, the French defender is under observation for a period of 48 hours.

As to whether continue the match between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, Rosell said: "Not if I see him, I think I have a dinner, do not know yet if I can see." (via SPORT)

It has the president for his foundation of solidarity action worldwide.

The Barça president Sandro Rosell has received a very warm letter from former U.S. President Bill Clinton invited him to be an active member in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).

Clinton himself defines this establishment as "a community of global leaders dedicated to formulating and implementing solutions in response to the most pressing global problems."

Indeed, Clinton promotes solidarity initiatives, relief and direct action worldwide in collaboration with important figures of international renown.

"Our corporate members are crucial to the work of the CGI, because understanding and provide the guidance necessary to create real change in communities around the world. Throughout the year, the CGI works with them to develop legal responsibilities and lay the groundwork for partnerships to make the world a better place. efforts by the CGI culminating in our Annual Meeting to be held in New York from 23 to 25 September 2012 "event you Sandro Rosell will attend if his schedule azulgrana permits.

For Sandro Rosell is a great honor to be listed as president of FC Barcelona on a platform that provides solutions in about 180 countries around the world. No doubt the strong entente between the club azulgrana and Bill Gates Foundation, which is also part of this army of Clinton, has been key to include Rosell between the signings of 2012.

In the same letter says that the CGI "helping to change the lives of more than 400 million people. I hope you become part of the CGI community and share our progress," just saying the former president of the U.S. , who also discovered the phenomenon Barça. (via MD)

The Barça president Sandro Rosell and the vice president institutional Carles Vilarrubí were yesterday at the Barcelona City Council on an official visit to the Catalan capital's mayor, Xavier Trias.

The reason for the visit was simply as a courtesy, after the convergent won the mayoral elections in May last year. Since then, the session and sports club had pending the meeting, which had not been previously carried out for scheduling reasons, given the level of commitment that both parties must attend.

The meeting comes just days after the media would reflect the future intentions of the directive, which would by building a new stadium on land owned by the University of Barcelona. Anyway, from the lub azulgrana made ​​sure that the agenda of yesterday's meeting was not the point, since the visit was simply a courtesy.

Anyway, after the news, the mayor and was in favor of a possible land swap, "seems like a good idea. It would be a speculative project, "he said. (via SPORT)

Barça’s 20 youth football teams gathered at the Ciutat Esportiva to meet with Sandro Rosell.

The event also served as a photo op for the teams to snap their official annual photograph with Rosell.



The Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper was the venue for the traditional meeting between the youth football teams of FC Barcelona and Sandro Rosell and members of the board of directors that are responsible for Barça’s youth system, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Jordi Mestre. The event, which also hosted family members and friends, saw 20 football teams on display on Field 7.

From Barça B to the U-6 team and the four women’s football teams, participated in the event. Football director Andoni Zubizarreta and athletic formative football director Guillermo Amor joined Rosell and the directors.

Proud to defend this shield

Speaking for approximately 300 boys and girls, the U-14 player Carles Aleña said, “wearing this shirt with this shield and defending these colours is an honour and we feel fortunate.” The youngster promised that he and his colleagues will work hard seeing that “maybe one day we can be part of Barça’s first team and contribute to this Club’s grandeur.”

Rosell: “the cantera is the axis of our Club”

President Rosell was very pleased to participate in the event with the young footballers: “they are the essence of the Club, the axis.” The head of FC Barcelona talked about the pride that parents feel when these footballers wear “this shirt, this shield, these values.” He went on to highlight “the human behaviour of our footballers. They need to be examples of an athletic entity like this one, which is more than a club.” Rosell also said, “the hope and excitement that on day it is very likely these players will be in the Camp Nou defending our shirt.” The President didn’t want to forget the hard work that’s put in by the Athletic Commission: “we’re very proud to have them.”

Mestre: “we’re a worldwide leader”

The director responsible for Barça B, U-18 and the youth program, Jordi Mestre, congratulated the teams for the results they’ve earned. The director went on to say “not only are we worldwide leaders when it comes to youth football, but also in a human aspect. Besides making great players, we have to make good athletes and good people.”

Zubizarreta thanked the parents for the trust they show in the Club for allowing Barça to be part of their children’s education. While Amor encouraged all of the players to finish the season on a strong foot. (via FCBarcelona.com)

This Monday, President Sandro Rosell responded to the claims made by Telemadrid. The television channel stated that Josep Guardiola refused to stay on as Barça’s manager if the Club didn’t guarantee to offload defender Gerard Piqué this summer.

“All of the athletic decisions are made by Guardiola and Zubizarreta,” said Rosell.

President Sandro Rosell talked about the information aired by the television channel Telemadrid this Monday afternoon where the station claimed that Josep Guardiola said that he wouldn’t extend his contract unless the Club guaranteed that Gerard Piqué would be offloaded this summer.

“Obviously, it’s completely fake. It’s obviously slander. This story is baseless. What I can say is that all decisions about players coming in and going out are made jointly by Guardiola and Zubizarreta. Therefore, this story is baseless and it’s completely false. It’s a shame that a public press outlet like Telemadrid has decided to play this game,” said Rosell.

Previous to the above statement, Rosell said: “it’s a shame that in a time of economic crisis that we’re seeing publicly funded communication channels deliberately misinforming people, creating falsehoods and calumny. It’s understandable that this could happen on a privately funded channel, but I don’t understand how a channel that’s publicly funded [can do this]. No one understands it. If I were a tax paying person in Madrid, in truth, I’d be troubled.” (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The FC Barcelona President praised Messi: “I don’t think we’ll ever see another player like him. Like Guardiola says: Let’s enjoy him!.

“I still feel that discussions on whether Messi is the best player in the history of the sport or not, if he can be compared to other players... for me there are no comparisons. He is the best player ever. I don’t think we’ll ever see another player like him. Like Guardiola said, let’s enjoy him because he’s incredible, he stratospheric,” said President Sandro Rosell this Thursday morning during a Global Sports Forum session. “He’s the best player in the world, for Barcelona and for Argentina.”

The FC Barcelona President recounted his experience with Argentina’s national manager, Alejandro Sabella, during this Wednesday’s match in the presidential box. “When I saw him before the match I said, ‘Hey, boss! What are you doing here?’ He responded that he came to watch the lads play. I then told him to focus on Barça’s number 10. ‘I think he’s pretty good,’ I said. ‘I imagine that you’re still not sure if you’re going to name him to your team, right?’ I asked. He said yes, he still had doubts. At half time, when Messi already had two goals, I asked him, ‘how’s the decision coming along?’ ‘I still have doubts,’ he said. Obviously we were joking around.”

Rosell also highlighted the team’s effort last night: “Messi is a spectacular player, he has other spectacular players around him that help him be spectacular. It’s a pleasure to watch this team.” (via FCbarcelona.cat)

Pep Guardiola and Sandro Rosell were last night at the home of Barça president to design the future of Barça with the renewal of coach still in the air.

Sandro Rosell's house was the perfect place to address a summit between the president and Pep Guardiola, and also attended sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta, the sports vice president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and azulgrana second coach Tito Vilanova, for draw the roadmap Barça hereafter.

A road that is not yet known whether it will Guardiola himself who is the front although both talked about the expected renewal of technical and suspense that keeps much of barcelonismo.

Pep asked for more time to Sandro Rosell to make a decision about his future and that there are still some points on a personal level that the azulgrana coach should be clarified to make a decision as safe and true as possible to its principles, as has been announced in recent weeks. Pep himself said he has not "completed" their future but explained its decision as soon as this is taken.

And if Pep is in no hurry, Sandro Rosell either. The president is confident Barça coach's decision and it is clear that from the club must wait for Guardiola himself to make a decision since it is the undisputed first choice azulgrana future. The last thing you want from the board is to launch an ultimatum to Pep is rendered. They are convinced that Guardiola would never take a decision that could harm the club, whatever their final verdict.

However, Rosell is confident that Guardiola continue for another season as coach, despite his doubts, not one bit sloppy planning the next season. Nothing has been left to chance and the preseason, their tours, the physical plans and equipment needs are being studied in detail by Guardiola himself.

At the peak technique is openly talked of possible ups and downs, and defined the basis of Barça's future. The idea of ​​Pep and the club is still project the strength of the cantera to the first team as a major base of the template. That is why Barça B will be the main route of supplying the equipment in the summer.

Nevertheless, Pep nor Sandro or discarded a great asset in the market next summer but the release never exceed 25 million euros. The budget will depend only on transfers of income from transfers or if there is any significant drop at the end of the season.

At the meeting, also conveyed the illusion of Pep to get the second consecutive Champions. Barça defend their European crown and access to the quarterfinals is closer than ever. In Madrid, ten points in the league, the Champions League has become a priority for coaches and players that have conspired to leave no escape.

Still, Pep will not let the team go in the league and has warned that war will give up the ghost. The technician relies on a slip of Real Madrid points to shorten as soon as possible to put pressure on the side of the set target.

Finally, the Copa del Rey is the title that is closer to a final one on one against Athletic Bilbao. Pep wants to remove the thorn from the end of last season and said he will not miss the chance to clinch the second Cup of the 'era Guardiola'. In March started and yet to be decided, from the bottom of this boat are willing to give everything to return to get everything at your fingertips. (via SPORT)

FC Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, spoke on current blaugrana at the Fira de Barcelona.

FC Barcelona and Mobile World Capital have signed a collaboration agreement to promote the initiatives of entrepreneurs and ICT companies to develop innovative mobile services in sport. The two entities also have to promote the creation of applications that improve the experience of watching or following a football match.

At the signing ceremony at the Mobile World Capital, attended by the president of FC Barcelona, Sandro Rosell, the manager responsible for new technologies of the Catalan club, Dídac Lee, CEO of GSMA, Mobile World Capital and CEO of Fira Barcelona , Agustín Cordón.

Rosell took the opportunity to make clear that there is no hurry about the renewal of Pep Guardiola as coach of first team football. "The battery of patience for the renewal of Guardiola has no end. Is solar and it is very sunny here," he said.

And joked about the actions of Pepe, a Real Madrid player, in some games: "Just ask the Federation to look at applications from England to end impunity for doing things like Pepe." (via SPORT)

European clubs will improve economic compensation for lending players to their respective national sides. Obligatory coverage for players that are injured while playing for their national sides, UEFA will be responsible for this cost.

FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell and Executive Committee Vice-President of the European Club Association (ECA), attended the ECA General Assembly held in Warsaw, Poland. The ECA’s Executive Committee presented a series of proposals to the UEFA Congress that will be up for ratification at the end of March in Istanbul, Turkey. The proposals focus on club economies and governance, as well as the international game schedule.

On the financial side, the most salient point is the proposal to compensate clubs for lending their players out to national sides ahead of the European Championships in 2012 and 2016. The proposal calls for a significant improvement to the 55 million euro limit agreed upon in 2008 ahead of this this year’s Euro, and it establishes a record limit for the Poland-Ukraine Euro in 2016.

Another significant proposal is to establish obligatory financial coverage, which UEFA would be responsible for, in the event of injury to players that play in European clubs during matches with their national sides, friendlies or official. This coverage will go into effect in the next European Championship.

The international game schedule has also been affected: the number of international UEFA games have been reduced, specifically in the month of August.

Significant improvements have been made in terms of governance and club representation within the UEFA organization. In fact, no decision will be made without the club’s prior agreement. In short, the clubs will have a much stronger voice through the Clubs Competition Committee, of which the FC Barcelona President is one of the most active members.

The Clubs Competition Committee also put forth a series of modifications, ratified by the Assembly, that will affect aspects of the competition. Some of these modifications, for example, is to set the maximum height of the pitch to three centimeters and the suspension of players that receive three yellow cards during the Champions League qualifying rounds. These changes must be ratified by UEFA’s Executive Committee.

The General Assembly also made headway in the regulation of financial Fair Play sponsored by UEFA, its goal is to protect the economic solvency of football clubs. The project has already entered its implementation stage.

The last relevant point of the meeting affects general European matters and social dialogue, specifically the Fisas report that refers to the specificity of sport within the European Union. To discuss this broad issue, the Assembly invited representatives from handball and basketball clubs to join the discussion. (via FCBarcelona.com)

With the issue of venue for the final of Copa unresolved in full swing and the criticism received from Cataluña arbitrations, Villar and Rosell decided to hold a secret meeting to find solutions. AS revealed the summit held in the hotel where you stay in Madrid Laporta. when not traveling with the team.

Sandro Rosell and Ángel María Villar on Tuesday held a secret meeting of two hours at Hotel NH Alcala in Spain's capital. In a surprising meeting, both presidents addressed the issue of venue Cup final Barca to be measured with Athletic in May though, has learned AS, Rosell jumped at the chance to show discomfort between Barça by recent arbitration received by the club azulgrana.

At 16:45 hours Villar came to NH Alcalá (Alcalá located in the street, 66) and went to the cafe. Calling for a tea, demanded a table with some privacy. Within minutes, showed up Sandro Rosell, who arrived on the scene in a taxi. He was alone and the vehicle fell back. Indeed, it was Barcelona president who suggested holding the meeting in this hotel, since it is where you stay for years, when not traveling with the expedition's official Barcelona. In fact, always occupies the same room on the fourth floor.

Both presidents were greeted in a very cordial. And in the presence of more customers (there were five people at that time in the cafeteria), decided to change table to draw the attention of those present, while Rosell asked for a coffee.

Definitely, they retired to the area that the hotel is reserved to make breakfast in the morning to their customers. There they found the privacy they wanted.

At 18:30 hours, Villar gave Rosell and closed the meeting, once one of the waiters told them how he CSKA- Real Madrid was playing at that moment (when they left the hotel were 0-1, Cristiano Ronaldo's goal). The Spanish Federation president left the place in his official car, while Rosell went to his room.

At night, the president of Barcelona continued their agenda and dined with the American entrepreneur Bill Gates.

At the summit last Tuesday, Rosell and Villar also had time to discuss the arbitration. In the last ten days, the Press of Barcelona has been a strong pressure from the media to understand that the team azulgrana has been hurt by the arbitrators. Hence, the Barcelona president has taken the opportunity to convey to the discomfort Villar.

The main theme of the meeting between Villar and Rosell hosted the Cup final azulgrana president reemphasized that Barcelona would like to be played in the Bernabéu but Villar reminded the version shown by Madrid, according to the which at that time the white arena is under construction. Hence, as a second option, the maximum Barca president expressed his priority Mestalla. (via AS)

The Barça president has insisted that the current first team has won much respect and feels that “no Barça fan with a memory can doubt this team or its manager even for a second”.

He is convinced that seeing as the team has already won three titles out of six, that they can still compete for the other three, adding that “this season has already been brilliant".

Speaking at the presentation of the agreement between the FC Barcelona Foundation and Intervida, FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has made it clear that he has every faith in the team. Rosell answered questions about the current state of affairs, and said that he already qualifies this season as 'brilliant', in reference to the fact that they have already won three titles, and are still in the hunt for three more.

Rosell believes Barça "are still alive in the league ... there are plenty of games left." He knows that the FC Barcelona members feel "solid and remember their history ... they love the team, who are so confident and keen to play ... They won't throw in the towel and will fight for the league until the end, I'm sure of that, but there are also external factors that can make life more difficult ... But at the end of the day, we mustn't forget that this is just a game. If we do win, then fantastic, but if not then we shall still have set an example for football, attitude and doing things right".

The president of FC Barcelona has said that the club would love to renew Josep Guardiola's contract, and "the sooner the better .. that would always be a massive boost, it would be great." But asked whether he would prefer to win the league or extend Guardiola's contract he had no doubt in replying that he'd want both.

Asked about what is going on in relation to the Committees, Rosell said he'd rather answer that question at the end of the season, merely saying that "I have nothing to say about that for the moment .. But at the moment things don't look good for Barça." If he feels it convenient at the end of the season "I'm sure that Barça will say their bit ... because football should ultimately be based on fair play". The FCB president made it clear that what he was saying was purely "in the name of football and fair-play".

The importance of the Cup

Sandro Rosell said that Barça "treat all three competitions it's involved in as important, including the Copa del Rey". Looking ahead to the semi final first leg with Valencia, he said that "the team will be going there to win ... It's another title, and we should remember that if we win it, we will have won more trophies than any other European team this year". (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Barca president says the decision not to enter the case Pepe is "around the club".

Sandro Rosell has served RAC1 at the end of the 64 Grand Gala MD , speaking of the classic coming and all that involves, for example, Barca's decision not to enter the 'case Pepe' . "When you see these actions, of course that goes through your head report. But if there is a police officer sees someone pass a red light, why would an ordinary citizen has to report?".

"The decision is not to denounce club. We are all in this, directors, coaches and players." Barca president believes that English football is an example to be followed in disciplinary matters. About the Cup back to Real Madrid tomorrow , Rosell says that while "we have the best team ever in football anything can happen." Laporta stressed that, whatever happens, this team "has a huge credit" and frees the fate of the tie against Real Madrid of "what might happen next in the league tournament since they are independent." Rosell also relies the good response from the fans in the Camp Nou. "Barca is a club man who respects his opponents and who can forgive actions hard to forgive, even as others would not. Our fans will be with the team and if there is provocation, no case." (via MD)

President Sandro Rosell lamented the death of the ex-Barça player and he had words of comfort for his family: “We are with them, I wish them a lot of strength”.

Today is a sad day in Can Barça. FC Barcelona lost one of its most emblematic captains, Juan Carlos Pérez, this Monday. President Sandro Rosell lamented the captain’s death: “it’s sorrowful news for us. He died before his time, but that is life. I wish his family strength. We are with them. If they need anything, we are here for them.”

Mr. Rosell also said, on Barça TV, that Juan Carlos is an unforgettable figure in Barça’s long history: “we will always remember him as reference point for FC Barcelona in a time that was very difficult to be a part of Barça.” (via FCBarcelona.cat)

Sandro Rosell, president of FC Barcelona, ​​said in Dubai during the sixth edition of the International Conference of Sports, the new technologies in Asia, "is the only way to further increase revenue".

"While the costs are balanced, new technologies in the Asian markets are the only way forward," said Rosell, who announced a new agreement in China with a website that would bring new revenue to FC Barcelona.

Rosell said that thanks to the spate of titles won recently the presence of FC Barcelona in the world is getting bigger and the proof is in the 180,000 members who have the club azulgrana at the moment.

FC Barcelona president defined his club as the "club kids" who admire from anywhere in the world to the square azulgrana. (via SPORT)

“What I want for Christmas is Guardiola’s contract renewal to be signed,” said the Barça president.

On Neymar: “If we made a move for Neymar, I wouldn’t say so. That would hurt FC Barcelona”.

Rosell says that Abidal’s contract renewal is “immanent” and that Hleb will not join the team.

2011 is coming to an end at it’s time to evaluate the year. “The season already is a success. Not only because of the titles we’ve won, but how we’ve done it. The combination of both of these factors allows me to say that the season has been a good one, no matter how it ends. If we win the League or the Champions League, it would be excellent,” said President Rosell during the press conference at the Sala París. “You travel the world and everyone tells you that Barça is the best team in the world,” he added, visibly proud of the football Josep Guardiola’s team practices.

The manager was one of the main focal points of the press conference. “What I want for Christmas is Guardiola’s contract renewal to be signed,” admitted Sandro Rosell, who reminded the journalists that “this Board has extened his contract twice.” Conscious that this is a “personal” decision for Guardiola, he said, “he knows that he can sign for one, two, three or even four more years, until our term is up. He has a contract waiting for him ... we will do everything possible so that he cannot say no.”

Along these lines, the president admitted that “Zubizarreta is working diligently to plan the football team next year, and the next and the next, with the idea that Guardiola will stay, but you cannot plan without having a plan B just in case he decides to not continue.” If the manager doesn’t renew his contract, Rosell avoided words like “panic” or “fear” to define the situation that the Club would be in: “The Club is above any person. The day he leaves, we’ll all be sad but we won’t panic.”

Why should the manager renew his contract? The president was asked. “To be happy, for the group, for the results, for motivation, eagerness,” he responded.

The second name on everyone’s lips at the Sala París was Neymar. The Brazilian player has been linked to the Club by various news outlets. “He’s a Santos player until 2014 and, if Barça were interested, I wouldn’t say anything. If we made a move for the player, I wouldn’t say anything. The only thing that I would accomplish in saying anything on the subject would hurt Barça’s interests and I won’t say anything that would damage the Club,” he said.

President Rosell said that the institutional ties with Real Madrid were improving. “I think they have improved. This happens with time. Now we have the correct institutional relations with them,” he explained. Rosell went on to say, “the facts demonstrate that Real Madrid’s attitude towards Barça has changed. The tension from last year is gone. Those five games against them were not good.” Rosell said the Real Madrid’s President, Florentino Perez, wished Barça luck in the Club World Cup after the victory at the Bernabéu (1-3) and he sent a congratulatory letter to the Club after the victory in Japan. On Mourinho’s comments, Rosell simply said that “that’s part of the world of football.”

President Rosell said that Éric Abidal is very close to signing a contract extension with FC Barcelona. “We’ll soon announce Abidal’s contract renewal. There are some fiscal loose ends that need to be addressed, mainly because his tax status has changed. We have to give him a contract that adheres to the law. He had the Beckham law now it’s time to redo it. It’s right around the corner,” he said. He also talked about Alexander Hleb, who could leave Wolfsburg, the team that currently has him on loan. “If he returns, we’ll have to find him a way out,” said Rosell.

Sandro Rosell confessed that it would be a “dream” to see a final will 11 players from the Masía in the starting lineup, something that could happen in any Barça game. “This isn’t our main objective, it’s to form, create players,” he indicated.

The Masía, however, will be a protagonist at the FIFA Ballon d’Or gala when Xavi and Messi, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, will be named among the three best players in the world. Any preference? “I want Messi or Xavi or Xavi and Messi to finish first and second. Any Barça player winning it would satisfy me,” said Rosell.

Lastly, the president talked about the proposal to shorten the Liga schedule to grow the Champions Leauge. “We must work with the international schedule because it’s not optimal. We must redesign the Champions League and reduce the national competitions. A complete overhaul is needed for the schedule and the competitions,” he said. (via FCBarcelona.cat)

One of the president’s pending projects is to achieve cohesion within the Club. While the Club is enjoying a triumphant period, Rosell asks everyone associated with the Club “to row in the same direction”.

This is one of FC Barcelona’s most glorious periods in the Club’s 112 year history. Winning the Best team in the World crown this Sunday was the icing on the cake in a year where Barça’s professional teams (football, basketball, handball, roller hokey and futsal) lifted a total of 16 trophies. It was a record year for FC Barcelona. Sandro Rosell is satisfied and proud of the hard work the athletes put in to accomplish such a feat. However, the president is also proud of the Club's social and economic improvements, “we are straightening out the difficult situation that we found the Club in when we got here ... this past fiscal year we reduced the deficit by 66 million euros,” something that, according to the president, “will help us move the project forward in the future.”

Among the Board’s many challenges there is on that is fundamental for President Rosell. The president’s main goal is to achieve unity within the Club. Rosell is aware that the division in the Azulgrana world is a longstanding issue that is nothing new and the reason that it exists is because of “historic reasons.” But the president said that he’s “stubborn” and he “will try to find unity.” The president and his board of directors are open to extending their hand to “the small pockets [of people associated with the Club] that are not excited to be part of the best football team in the history of the sport.” Rosell made note that “people of great significance within these groups” were invited to partake with the Club during finals and other momentous occasions. Even though they did not come “we will continue to try,” because Rosell is sure that “we will do everything within our power for them to come, everyone is welcome here.” Rosell understands that Barça is going through a glorious moment and he believes everyone associated with the Club “must row in the same direction.”

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