Johan Cruyff stripped of Barcelona honorary president title (original) (raw)

Johan Cruyff has been stripped of his title of honorary president of Barcelona following the arrival of Sandro Rosell as president of the club.

Cruyff was given the title in April by former president Joan Laporta, but Rosell argued in his election campaign that the decision was undemocratic, claiming the club members should have been given the right to vote on such an appointment.

And Rosell, who secured a landslide election victory on 13 June and took over officially yesterday, has moved quickly to strip Cruyff of the title.

"On 26 March the board agreed to name Cruyff president of honour, but article 16 only contemplates members of honour," Toni Freixa, a spokesman for the new Barcelona board of directors, said. "It does not fit in with the statutes and they would have to be modified to contemplate such a figure."

Barcelona's members will now have the chance to vote on whether they want an honorary president and if so, who it should be. However, Cruyff will be recognised one way or another.

"Cruyff is a member of honour and a Barcelona legend. He will be recognised, as will all ex-players," Freixa added.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola has had his appeal against a 15,000 Euro fine rejected by the Spanish football federation.

The Barcelona coach was handed the sanction after he accused referee Carlos Clos Gómez of lying in a 2-2 draw with Almeria in March.

Gomez sent Guardiola to the stands and in his post-match report claimed the former Barcelona captain had told him: "Your decisions are all the wrong way round – you don't understand anything."

Television images did not appear to support the claim and Guardiola subsequently defended himself in a press conference, saying: "I make a mistake and I go to the stands, but they [the officials] are lying and they know it."

The La Liga champions now have 15 working days to decide whether to take the matter to the Spanish committee of sporting discipline.