Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has submitted his resignation, along with his entire board of directors, finally bringing an end to the bitter civil war that has engulfed the Spanish club for several months.
A maligned figure, Bartomeu had clung onto power despite acrimonious disputes with senior players, including Lionel Messi, a social media scandal and the club’s deteriorating finances.
After Barcelona’s 8-2 Champions League quarter-final defeat by Bayern Munich, Messi publicly lamented the direction Bartomeu was taking the club, cited broken promises from the president, and confirmed his - ultimately unsuccessful - intention to terminate his contract.
Bartomeu had repeatedly rejected calls to resign before more than 20,000 Barcelona members signed a petition for a motion of censure. He was then targeted in a scathing interview by defender Gerard Pique prior to the club’s Clasico defeat last weekend.
It was only after failing to negotiate a delay to the vote of no confidence, which was due to go ahead next month, that Bartomeu, left with nowhere to turn, finally relented on Tuesday evening and confirmed his resignation. "It was a well-thought decision by everyone," he claimed.
Bartomeu also revealed that Barcelona have accepted proposals surrounding a future European super league in his exit speech, a decision which will have to be ratified by his successor.
Former club president Joan Laporta rejoiced at the news of Bartomeu’s departure. “It was time! The roads are finally open to rebuild Barça," he wrote on Twitter. “Long live Barça!”
