Benedito wins lawsuit over 2017 vote of no confidence Barcelona Barcelona have 20 days to appeal

Agusti Benedito has announced in a press conference that a judge has backed a complaint he lodged over the vote of no confidence at Barcelona in 2017.

Benedito, a former Barcelona presidential candidate, attempted to launch a vote of no confidence against Josep Maria Bartomeu and the Barcelona board two years ago, but there was disagreement over the deadline for presenting backers.

The judge has agreed that Benedito had a point and now Barcelona have 20 days to appeal against this ruling.

"They were totally discretionary, reducing the possibilities of a successful vote of no confidence from the complainant by shortening the deadline for obtaining the necessary support from the other members," says the ruling, according to Benedito.

The former presidential candidate went on to give his thoughts on the matter.

"The vote of no confidence was pretty much finished at the moment when they decided to shorten the deadline," he said.

"In any case, anyone who wants to put forward another vote of no confidence should start from scratch.

"It's clear the type of attitude and the type of people we have in charge of Barcelona.

"It's another reason to want to end Bartomeu's reign as soon as possible."

Benedito explained his reasons for wanting Bartomeu to leave his position, citing Lionel Messi's contract revelations.

"The club's situation has gotten worse," he said.

"It's very difficult to know the debt of Barcelona, but we think it's more than 800 million euros.

"It's difficult to say what the cost of Espai Barca will be, which is a pantomime because they say it's more now than a few years ago.

"The wage bill is excessive.

"The other day it was said that the financial entities are fighting to give credit, but this is a lie because no bank has granted it for more than a year.

"Barcelona are in a chaotic situation.

"The main asset that we had was Messi, but now we know that his market value is nothing."

The next presidential election at Barcelona isn't until 2021, and Benedito spoke of the possibility of running for office again.

"We have to see who runs," he said.

"From what I know, Victor Font said that he'd run in 2015 and he didn't.

"I remember Joan Laporta tweeting something after the Liverpool game, but I'm not sure.

"Toni Freixa is saying nothing.

"We have to see who runs.

"It reminds me of 2010.

"There will be a continuity candidate, but it's a priority that these people don't continue at Barcelona."