The proposal is designed to restore trust, stability and democratic control at FC Barcelona at a time of deep institutional difficulty.
The plan is structured around four pillars focused on auditing, integrity, participation and financial clarity.
“For an institution owned by its members, the loss of values and clarity is extremely serious,” says Vilajoana, who advocates for management based on ethics, accountability and long-term sustainability.
Xavier Vilajoana has announced a Transparency, Integrity and Good Governance Plan, a comprehensive proposal designed to restore trust, stability and democratic control at FC Barcelona in what he describes as a period of profound institutional difficulty.
Vilajoana believes that in recent years the Club has accumulated problems that go beyond sporting results, including persistent financial pressure, rising debt, the repeated use of extraordinary measures, exorbitant and unjustified commissions, partnerships with companies carrying reputational risks, and a lack of clear and consistent information for members. “For an institution owned by its members, the loss of ethics, values and clarity is extremely serious. When information is partial or arrives late, trust weakens. And when decisions are concentrated and insufficiently explained, the Club moves away from its true owners.”
“Too often, FC Barcelona has appeared to serve short-term objectives and individual trajectories, rather than a coherent, long-term vision based on the interests of its members. Transparency is not about finding scapegoats. It is about responsibility, order and respect for ownership.”
Vilajoana recalls that organizations such as Amnesty International have questioned some recent FC Barcelona agreements, warning about the risk of using sport as a showcase to whitewash human rights violations, which in his view has damaged the Club’s reputation.
The Transparency, Integrity and Good Governance Plan proposed by Vilajoana sets out a governance model that places institutions above individuals and ensures that management is exercised with control, discipline and accountability. The plan is built around four clear pillars:
- Radical transparency as a democratic duty, with a full and independent audit carried out by a firm of international prestige within the first 100 days of the presidency. This audit will cover the Club’s finances, major commercial agreements, intermediaries and strategic projects such as Espai Barça. Its conclusions will be communicated clearly to the members.
- Integrity as a permanent structure, through the creation of an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Advisor, independent from the executive body and with clearly defined oversight and accountability functions, ensuring that ethical standards do not depend on promises or individuals but are embedded in the Club’s governance.
- Greater control and participation by members, through a package of reforms to strengthen democratic participation, including binding consultations, enhanced access to information and oversight mechanisms for members, with the aim of preventing misuse of power.
- Financial clarity and long-term sustainability, with full transparency regarding the Club’s economic situation, debt levels, asset sales and future obligations, supported by permanent internal audits and independent external audits, accompanied by summaries that are understandable to any member.
Vilajoana notes that he has repeatedly spoken out whenever he believed certain Club decisions put its reputation or long-term interests at risk. Last November, he was among the first to publicly express concern over the global sponsorship agreement with the crypto company Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), questioning the adequacy of the due diligence carried out prior to its announcement and warning of the reputational risk to the Club. Ultimately, the Club was forced to acknowledge its mistakes and terminate the contract.
Vilajoana maintains that only by openly acknowledging the Club’s financial reality will it be possible to move away from short-term solutions and progress toward a solid and sustainable recovery. “This is about returning FC Barcelona to its members. When members know the truth, they can take responsibility for the future. That is how trust, dignity and pride in our Club are rebuilt.”
