Barcelona president Jose Maria Bartomeu to step down - "19,000 have led the way"

"I never seriously considered stepping down," Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said in a press conference on Monday night. Just 24 hours later, his statement was outdated. On Tuesday evening, various Spanish media outlets reported the 57-year-old would step down. Reports that were later confirmed by Bartomeu. Until the next election, the club will be run by Carles Tusquets. 

Viktor Font, who is one of the potential successors, was enthusiastic about the news. "More than 19,000 members have led the way," Font wrote on Twitter. "Now Barça need to be rescued. Tonight I tell them with more enthusiasm than ever before; we have ideas, the team, and drive to rebuild this club. Yes, to a better future."

The background is a vote of confidence against the Barça boss, who has been accused of corruption, been the face of Barcelona's poor results, and, on top of everything, has been held responsible for Lionel Messi's contract situation. At the start of October, 20,731 were collected against the club's leadership, more than the necessary 16,521.