Abidal, from Laporta to Bartomeu
The new sporting director at Barcelona formed part of Joan Laporta's candidate team in last presidential elections
Eric Abidal, who was named this Thursday as the club's new sporting director, formed part of Joan Laporta's failed presidential bid at Barcelona back in 2015.
The elections took place in the summer of 2015 after Barcelona had won the second treble in the club's history. Josep Maria Bartomeu, the current president, was opposed by former man in charge, Joan Laporta.
Abidal backed Laporta and was even promised to be named as the sporting director, the post he now has, if Laporta had won the election.
"I know Joan and he knows me. We've spoken without holding anything back. We want to start from the bottom and make sure that La Masia gets back to producing players such as Leo, Xavi or Andres," declared Abidal a few days before the election.
Bartomeu won the 2015 elections with 54.63% (25,823) of the vote ahead of Joan Laporta's 33.03% (15,615).
