Barcelona Acting President Rafa Yuste Urges Massive Turnout for Club Elections: “A Very Special Day for Our Democracy”
Acting President Rafa Yuste has described today as “a very special day” for FC Barcelona, calling on all club members to come out in large numbers to vote in the presidential elections and choose the institution’s new leader.
Speaking to the media shortly after casting his own vote, Yuste emphasized the importance of high participation to demonstrate the strength of Barcelona’s democratic traditions.
“It’s a very special day, a day that showcases this club’s democracy,” he said. “That’s why and I’ve said this many times and will repeat it on behalf of the club we want as many members as possible to come out to vote and choose the club’s new president.”
Yuste highlighted the symbolic significance of the day, noting that a packed Camp Nou is expected for the evening La Liga match against Sevilla.
“There is a match today, and a large crowd is expected, so we hope the turnout will be high. It’s an emotional and special day… We’ll fill the stadium with around 62,000 people, and I’m confident they’ll spur the team on to give that extra push against a team like Sevilla.”
He added that the club will wait until polls close at 9 p.m. to learn the identity of the new president, after which congratulations will be extended and the day spent celebrating alongside fans.
“We’ll wait until 9 p.m. to find out who the new president is, then we’ll congratulate him, and spend the day with all the club’s fans as closely as possible.”
Yuste also paid tribute to the late President Joan Laporta Reina , announcing that a memorial Mass in his honour will be held at 11 a.m. today.
“A memorial Mass for the late President Reina will be held today at 11 a.m., and I hope that wherever he is now, he can see what’s happening at the stadium today, and that we can dedicate the victory to him when we face Sevilla.”
The elections mark a pivotal moment for FC Barcelona as members decide on the leadership that will guide the club through its ongoing financial recovery, sporting ambitions, and long-term strategic vision. With high voter turnout anticipated and a crucial league match against Sevilla on the same day, the atmosphere at Camp Nou is expected to be electric.
Results are expected late tonight, with the new president set to assume office in the coming days.
