Sandro Rosell has resigned as FC Barcelona president after the Board of Directors' extraordinary meeting on Thursday evening, and Josep Mara Bartomeu, who was the club's First Vice President,  will take over the presidency until 2016.

Rosell chose the decision to resign due to open legal proceedings on account of the 'Neymar case', and due to threats against himself and his family.

Rosell said in his farewell speech, "These threats and attacks have made me wonder if being president means having to jeopardise my family. 

In recent days an unfair and reckless accusation of misappropriation has resulted in a lawsuit against me in the Audiencia Nacional. From the beginning I have said that the signing of Neymar Junior has been correct and his signing has caused despair and envy in some of our adversaries. 



"The right of the Club members to be informed needs to be compatible with the defence of the Club and confidentiality of certain matters and facts. This confidentiality is essential in the world of football because otherwise the Club could be damaged. 



"The Board of Directors is a team. And this team leads a project that has brought the Club great success. I don’t want unfair attacks to negatively affect their management or the image of the Club. This is why I think my time here has come to an end.



"Now, in accordance with the Club’s Statutes, I have presented my irrevocable resignation of the presidency of FC Barcelona to the Board of Directors. 

From this moment, just as the directors announced, in accordance with our Statutes, the first vice-president of the Club, Josep Maria Bartomeu, will immediately assume the presidency of the Club until the end of the term, through 2016, just as the Board unanimously agreed a few moments ago. 

It has been an honour to serve the Barcelonistas.

"It has been a privilege to be the president of FC Barcelona. I wish nothing but the best to the new president and I ask the Club members for their support."