Laporta: Barcelona has been 'sold to Qatar'

The former Blaugrana supremo has vowed to continue his fight to dethrone Josep Maria Bartomeu, who he claims has betrayed the Catalan club's core values Joan Laporta has reiterated that he will not give up his bid to reclaim control of Barcelona, stating that he cannot stand by and allow the club to be "sold to Qatar". The former Blaugrana president failed to usurp current incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu in last month's elections but says that he remains determined to oust his fellow Catalan. Laporta explained that he has numerous issues with Laporta's administration, including the ongoing association with Qatar Sports Investments, as well as the fact that Barca have yet to launch an appeal against Uefa's decision to fine the club €30,000 for supporters being in possession of pro-Catalan independence flags at May's Champions League final. "We will not give up," the 53-year-old told reporters. "And for many reasons, such as having a board that complies with penalties for having Catalan flags in Berlin. "I will continue fighting. Because of this president, the club has been processed for the first time in its history. "I will continue to to fight so that the club is no longer sold to Qatar. "The current club model is unsustainable on an athletic, social and economic level. "I said on the day of the elections that I will not give up and that I will keep fighting so that Barcelona belongs to everyone. We will continue to defend that model." Laporta previously served as Barca president between 2003 and 2010, during which time the club won four Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.