In Catalonia we are experts in detecting populism at the first opportunity, provided it occurs in Argentina, the White House or Hungary. That is, far away.
The nationalist establishment is distinguished by the ability to grant bulls in all areas, from theater to journalism, music to cinema and, naturally, with regard to Barça, a great institution in the country. Some take the anathemas, others the bulls...
The shipwreck of FC Barcelona has crystallized under the second era of Joan Laporta, whose election and mandate brings together all the elements that, if they occur in other lands, define populism. Impossible promises, little transparency, Caesarism – friends and brothers-in-law, yes, executives and independents, out – and crazy economic management (being benevolent).
However, President Laporta has and has had the bull from the establishment, without which the calls for resignation would have been circulating for months on the networks and the usual propaganda circuit.
We are like that, what are we going to do. Laporta embodies the pit i collons that some admire so much, even believing that the Madrid banner was a brave challenge when time has made it clear that the first supporter of it should have been Florentino Pérez and his Real Madrid, which has Barça in the dreamed place: it exists but more harmless than ever.
An entity that considers itself a model but is without a euro cannot afford certain – and repeated – images of the crazy life of those in charge. We have not come to this world to cry, but nor to spend the summer and even less at the expense of others. The image of Barça that the president transmits can only be understood from that bull, which stops an inevitable but, alas, extendable fall. The bad thing is that the ball is not going in nor does it look like it will come in, although we do not rule out that this board of directors – to call it something – takes tricks out of its sleeve to buy time. All populists are experts at selling smoke. Also in Catalonia.
Ah, a hug to Vitor Roque (61 million euros). Thank goodness there wasn't a penny in the coffers...
