Banners outside Camp Nou in protest of Laporta: ‘Barcelona is none of your business’

ESPN’s ever-reliable Moises Llorens reports that several posters in protest of Barcelona president Joan Laporta can be seen outside the Camp Nou ahead of Barcelona’s league opener against Real Sociedad.

The posters seen outside the Catalan side’s home stadium carry harsh slogans against the president, displaying the disappointment and frustration of the Barcelona faithful.

Messages like “Laporta traitor” and “Barcelona is none of your business” are just a few of the glaring messages displayed.

Few take a direct hit at Laporta’s decision to go on holiday immediately after Lionel Messi’s dramatic exit by saying- “You’re in Ibiza and Messi in Paris.”

Moreover, some posters have gone a step further saying “Servant of Florentino”, suggesting that the Spaniard chose to prioritize the Super League over Lionel Messi as asked by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

The various slogans and banners around Camp Nou clearly reflect the mood in the capital. Frustration and dissent is the emotion seen around the city, and understandably so.

All this comes off Laporta’s shocking announcement that Lionel Messi would not continue at Barcelona. Despite adequate backing that it was not financially possible to sign the record Ballon d’Or winner, there is a sentiment that not enough effort was put into his renewal.

Moreover, fans feel betrayed by Laporta who promised to keep the Argentine in the team if elected. Claims of the president ‘using’ the former captain to win the elections are common too.

It remains to be seen how Joan Laporta and his board respond to the open criticism and backlash at their presidency. Letting go of the captain was always going to be an unpopular decision. The fans are clearly not happy.