Laporta set to stand down on Thursday

 Barcelona president Joan Laporta is rumoured to be preparing to step down on Thursday after the majority of club members voted against him in a referendum last weekend.

Although Laporta is allowed to stay in his position because club rules state that the vote of no confidence needed to have a two-thirds majority and only 60 per cent voted against him, it means that his situation is now decidedly difficult.

If he does resign then it is likely that a member of the present board will take over until the next elections which are due to take place in 2010.