"The agreement with Qatar gives us breathing space”



Sandro Rosell has stated that the agreement between FC Barcelona and the Qatar Foundation will allow the club to reduce the economic losses from 22€ million to 15€ million.

The Blaugrana president attended a press conference on Wednesday to make an overall appraisal of the new board's first six months in charge at Camp Nou. On the institutional front, one of the main areas that Rosell was keen to highlight was the deal that was done recently with the Qatar Foundation.

"I am very proud," he explained. "It has given the club oxygen. Sealing this agreement has allowed us many things, among them is to not increase membership fees, not to bring in more advertising and to be able to continue to be a sports club." The Barça supremo also said that the predicted economic losses for the 2010/11 season would not be reduced from 22€ million to 15€ million.

Supporters talk



If supporters want to discuss the value of the agreement then Rosell welcomed any members bringing it up at the club's next assembly. "If the members want then they can include it in the order of business to be discussed," he added. "If a group want to put it in the order of the day and the assembly are behind it then it would show that this club truly does belong to the fans."



Asset making



Another theme that Rosell gave special importance to was the assets of the club. On this point the president explained that he was keen to increase the worthwhile assets, like the land around the sports complex in Sant Joan Despí. "We are making a plan to recover the good assets and, at the same time, help sort out the bad. The lands in Viladecans are a problem."



New Palau



On the theme of the Miniestadi and a scheme to requalify it Rosell was adamant that things had changed. "That has stopped because want to keep this asset as part of the club," he said." On the restructuring of Camp Nou as part of the Espai Barça plan, Rosell explained: "The priority is to have a new Palaui Blaugrana. That is urgent because we will not be able to play in the Euroleague."



Johan Cruyff



Rosell then reflected on the board's relationship with Johan Cruyff and stated that according to the statutes: "The position of President of Honour does not exist." He added that it could be brought up at the assembly. "Cruyff is a member of honour. Time will ensure that everything is sorted out and that it will be fixed," he commented.



More talk



"Maybe the board have not done well enough when it has come to explaining things," Rosell continued when speaking about the things that the new administration could have improved upon. "From now on we will try to do more to improve the manner of communication. We have tried to do many things and when you are doing so much there is not always a lot of time left to speak. But we cannot only forget that at Barça one must do and speak because it is an institution where people want to know what is going on."



Electoral promises



On the two electoral promises involving the travel agency and the Grada Jove, Rosell explained that things are underway. "We have not yet completed them because we are working so hard," he added.

Afellay passes medical

Afellay passes medical



Ibrahim Afellay has passed his medical examination on Thursday with no problems and has been declared ready to be presented as a Barça player on Friday.

He arrived in Barcelona on Thursday morning and posed for the traditional photo in front of the FC Barcelona crest. At four o’clock he visited the Club Medical Services, where he was tested for resistance and podology and the underwent x-ray tests and coronary and muscular echographies.

The Dutchman then went to Hospital de Barcelona to complete his medical.

“He is fully fit”

First team doctor Ricard Pruna was impressed with Afellay’s fitness. “He is perfectly healthy. He is excellent fitness … he has had no muscle injuries to date, and neither have we spotted an scars to suggest he has injuries in the past”.

“Merry Christmas and a happy 2011"

“Merry Christmas and a happy 2011"




A number of the first team players from both the football and basketball teams appeared in a specially made video for the La Masia youngsters this Christmas, to wish them a happy Christmas.

In an initiative set up by the La Masia, the players surprised the youngsters with their festive greetings – yet another sign of the close links between the young players and the first team stars.

Leo Messi, Carles Puyol, Bojan Krkic, Pedro Rodríguez, Víctor Valdés, Jeffren Suárez, Andrés Iniesta, Roger Grimau and Víctor Sada all appear in the video which was shown to the La Masia youngsters before they broke up for their Christmas break.



Best wishes and good advice

Many of the stars have themselves come up through La Masia and have been through the festive season there and that showed in the messages of support they gave to the current crop of players being trained there. Messi, for example, identified with the problems and homesickness of the foreign players; Puyol encouraged the youngsters to enjoy the moment; Bojan reminded them of the importance of continuing their studies and Pedro and Valdes had special words for the La Masia staff.