Who Was Barcelona President in 2011?

Who Was Barcelona President in 2011?

In 2011, Barcelona Football Club was led by Sandro Rosell as its president. Rosell took office on June 30, 2010, following the resignation of Joan Laporta. His presidency lasted until January 23, 2014, when he stepped down due to legal issues.

Background

Sandro Rosell was born on March 6, 1964, in Barcelona, Spain. Before becoming the president of Barcelona Football Club, he had a successful career in business and sports marketing.

Rosell’s Achievements

During his tenure as president of Barcelona, Rosell oversaw various accomplishments and brought significant changes to the club:

• Treble Winners: In the season of 2010-2011, under Rosell’s leadership, Barcelona won the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey (Spanish Cup), and the UEFA Champions League. This remarkable achievement is known as winning the treble.
• New Sponsorship Deals: Rosell played a crucial role in securing lucrative sponsorship deals for Barcelona.

  Notably, he signed a shirt sponsorship agreement with Qatar Foundation for €30 million per year.

• Naming Rights: Under his presidency, Camp Nou Stadium’s naming rights were sold for €200 million to Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), which resulted in renaming the stadium to “Camp Nou – Qatar Foundation”.
• Social Initiatives: Rosell initiated several social projects during his time as president. One notable initiative was establishing “The Masia Foundation,” which aimed to provide education and sports training for underprivileged children.

Controversies and Resignation

Rosell’s presidency was marred by controversies, and his tenure was cut short due to legal issues:

• Neymar Transfer: The signing of Brazilian superstar Neymar in 2013 became the center of controversy. Rosell faced allegations of financial irregularities related to the transfer fee, which led to investigations and ultimately his resignation.
• Court Case: In January 2014, Rosell resigned as Barcelona’s president after being charged with fraud and corruption relating to the Neymar transfer. Although he denied any wrongdoing, he stepped down to protect the club’s image.

Legacy

Despite the controversies surrounding his departure, Sandro Rosell’s tenure as Barcelona’s president left a significant impact on the club. His leadership during the treble-winning season and his efforts in securing substantial sponsorship deals helped strengthen Barcelona’s financial position and global brand recognition.

In conclusion, Sandro Rosell served as Barcelona’s president from June 30, 2010, to January 23, 2014. While his presidency brought immense success on the field, it was also marked by controversies that ultimately led to his resignation.