Wazzup with FC BARCELONA?!! (News)

[Classik]

21 players in four matches


05/15/2012 15:45
In his Copa del Rey Final preparations, Josep Guardiola has used as many as 21 different players in league matches since the setbacks against Madrid and Chelsea
Guardiola has used 21 players in the four games played since the disappointments against Madrid and Chelsea
Messi and Mascherano are the only players that appeared for all90 minutes against Rayo, Malaga, Espanyol and Betis

Los jugadores, con Pep Guardiola/ FOTO: ARCHIVO FCB.
Last four games in minutes
360 minutes - Messi and Mascherano
351 minutes – Pedro
335 minutes - Keita
316 minutes – Adriano
270 minutes - Pinto
252 minutes – Busquets
247 minutes - Puyol
213 minutes - Montoya
180 minutes – Thiago
174 minutes - Alves
162 minutes – Iniesta
115 minutes - Cesc
93 minutes - Xavi
90 minutes – Valdés and Piqué
80 minutes - Alexis
90 minutes – Afellay and Cuenca
42 minutes – Tello
32 minutes - Bartra
What is the best use to make of your squad ahead of a cup final? How much time should each player be given on the pitch? A review of the last four league matches played by FC Barcelona (Rayo, Málaga, Espanyol and Betis), in which there was nothing of major importance at stake, Guardiola has given chances to as many as 21 different members of his squad.
Messi and Mascherano unrested
Only two players have appeared throughout all four matches, namely Leo Messi , who was chasing the leading goalscorer title, and Javier Mascherano , who was almost indispensable with so many problems in defence. Also featuring prominently were Pedro (351 minutes), Keita (335) and Adriano (316), who were in the starting eleven against all of Rayo, Málaga, Espanyol and Betis.
Time for everybody
Guardiola was clearly considering chances everyone hehad available, although he also had cover for injuries to think about. Xavi , Piqué and Alexis would all have probably played more under normal circumstances, while Cuenca , Pinto and Puyol have also missed games for different reasons.
Meanwhile, players like Iniesta , Cesc and Alves , who played a huge part in the season, have been given the chance to get some rest, evidently with the cup final on May 25 in mind, while the games have also provided the opportunity for players like Afellay , Cuenca , Tello and Bartra to get some valuable momentum going.
In total, 21 players have appeared in the four Barça line-ups, the ideal way to guarantee that everybody is ready for the final challenge of the season.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

The Board announces measures to improve and adapt the facilities


05/15/2012 12:30
Antoni Freixa has outlined a series of measures to improve both the FCB facilities and also the services it offers to its members
He has also announced an institutional visit to Qatar on May 28, 29 and 30

The Palau Blaugrana 2 will have new space that will accommodate the OAB, the OAP and the new OAE / PHOTO: ÃLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
Next board meeting, in Figueres
Toni Freixa announced that the next meeting of the board of directors will take place on June 4 at the Dalí Museum in Figueres.
The secretary and spokesman for the Board of Directors, Antoni Freixa , has spoken to the
press this Tuesday to explain the agreements reached at a meeting the day before. Freixa
described plans to improve the club facilities and the services it offers to its members.
New headquarters
The new Palau Blaugrana 2, the former Picadero, will soon be thesite for a new headquarters
that will house the Barcelona Supporter Services Office (OAB), The Supporters Club Services
Office (OAP) and the new Specialised Services Office (OAE). This will also be the venue for the
new Sala París, which will be a multi-purpose auditorium. The present building used for the
OAB and Sala París will instead beused to expand the FCBotiga Megastore.
Better catering
Freixa has also said that over the next few months, a greater rangeof catering services will be
introduced to the forecourt and boulevard areas of the Camp Nou.
New pavilion for youth teams
The Board has also approved plans for a new indoor pavilion at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan
Gamper , on the site recovered last year, which will be used by the youth teams playing indoor
sports.
Reforms to Palau Blaugrana
Work will also be done on the Palau Blaugrana , which will see the introduction of
improvements to the service area, the pressroom and the emergency exits.
Trip to Qatar
It was also revealed that on May 28, 29 and 30, an institutional visit is being planned to
Qatar to meet with contractual obligations derived from the sponsorship deal with the Qatar
Foundation. Freixa explained that president Sandro Rosell will be joined on his journey by
vice president Javier Faus , director general Antoni Rossich , the sports director of professional
football Andoni Zubizarreta and coaches Josep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova .
Draw for representatives on June6
Finally, Freixa announced that June 6 will be the date for the draw to decide which people will
attend Assemblies over the next two years in representation of the membership.

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

Barça grateful to the retiring employees for their decades of loyal service
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/15/2012 12:48
In a farewell ceremony, PresidentSandro Rosell presented insigniasand diplomas to the 25 retiring employees as a gesture of gratitude for the decades of service to the Club

Alfonsa García (81-years-old) has worked for the Club for over five decades/ PHOTO: ÃLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
This Tuesday was a very emotional day for 25 long-term employees that are now retiring. The group was welcomed by President Sandro Rosell and the director general Antoni Rossich for a farewell gathering at the Sala París. Each of the outgoing employees received an insignia and diploma as a gesture of gratitude for their decades of loyalty and dedication to FC Barcelona.
The president personally thankedeach and every one of the employees for their years of service, reminding them that theycontinue to be part of the Barça family and that the doors to the Club will always be open to them . Once the ceremony came to a close, Rosell and Rossich spent time with the employees and their families.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Sergio Busquets: “There’s a lot left in this teamâ€


05/15/2012 19:43
The Barça midfielder knows that the current squad will still have plenty to say next season. “We are a very young set of players, we’re keen to carry on winning, we’re ambitious and of course we’ll carry on that wayâ€
As for the Copa del Rey, he is sure that Athletic Bilbao will have completely got over their defeat in the Europa League Final

Sergio Busquets in the press conference / PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ -FCB
Ready for the charity Marató
Next May 27, the FC Barcelona first team will be playing an indoor football match to raise
money for the annual Marató charity gala on TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio. Sergio Busquets
commented that “the team are delighted to be able to contribute to a charity event … It’ll be a way to see out the season, to have a nice time, and to see things differently to the way they are seen over the course of such a demanding competition. I hope the people come along to watch.â€
At this stage of the season it is only typical for there to be talk ofpossible comings and goings, butSergio Busquets reckons there’s plenty left in the current FC Barcelona squad. They are still very young and “we’re keen to carry on winning, we’re ambitious and of course we’ll carry on that way.â€
Sergio Busquets also admitted that he would have preferred to play the Copa del Rey Final earlierthan May 25, but “the Federation had to pick a date with a possibleChampions League Final in mind.†Although two weeks without a game seems like a longtime “we have to take what’s positive … The most important thing is that we are playing in the Copa del Rey Final and we have two weeks to get ready for it, more than usual. We’ve got to win itâ€.
Dangers of Athletic Club
On the same issue, he added that Bilbao “are physically very well prepared … it will be very difficult … They are training hard and have got some strong players. Anything can happen in one match. What happened to them in the Europa League Final won’t have anything to do with the Copa del Rey.†Sergio Busquets also said that not having Puyol “is a shame, because he’s such a dedicated player, and because of who he is and what he transmits to the team.â€
May 25 will be especially emotional because it will be Josep Guardiola’s last day in charge of the first team. Said Busquets: “We won our first final with him against Athletic and he’s leaving after the same fixture four years later, having won lots of titles and created a whole new playing philosophy. It’s been one of the best periods in our history and it’s the end of the era of a very special manager, the best there is.â€
Villa’s fitness
He also mentioned his team-mate David Villa , who is desperate to be ready in time for Euro 2012. “Nobody can get inside his body and mind to understand his situation. He is working to get fit as quickly as possible, e might be missing match practice, but not in his mind. At the end of the day, it’s the manager’s decision.â€

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

Alexis returns to training with the first team
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/15/2012 20:04

The Chilean striker, injured in thematch against Rayo, returned to training this Tuesday, in a sessionthat also featured Barça B’s Bartra, Montoya and Tello
Alexis Sánchez , who injured his left thigh in the Rayo-Barça match (0-7), trained with normality today during the Barça’s first training session afterthis weekend’s match against Betis (2-2). The first-team footballers can now exclusively focus on the King’s Cup Final scheduled for May 25.
Three Barça B players and a new ball
Along with Alexis, who has missed Barça’s last three Liga matches (Málaga, Espanyol and Betis), three Barça B players, Montoya , Bartra and Tello , joined the first team’s training session. The team trained with the ball that will be used in the King’s Cup Final.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FUTSAL
Marc Carmona: "I tip my hat tothe players"
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/15/2012 20:05

The Barça Alusport manager praised the commitment of his players: They are very good and they work more than anyone else. We have to try and keep thisstreak going as long as possibleâ€
Ari Santos: “Winning is a beautiful vice and we always want to win. We have to celebrate all the titles we win. It’sa great feelingâ€
Sergi Lozano: “We suffered a lot in all of the ties but we managed to compete both in the good andbad times. We’ve shown that we’re a unified teamâ€
After Barça Alusport claimed the King’s Cup crown, the players celebrated with a very expressive Marc Carmona . The manager praised his team’s work in the final: “before the match started I told them that it wouldn’t be easy to win after everything we’ve accomplished. I tip my hat to the players for winning this Cup ... They are very good and they work more than anyone else. We have to try and keep thisstreak going as long as possible.â€
Carmona also emphasised the quality of ElPozo Murcia : “the scoreline perhaps doesn’t reflect how close the match was. There were difficult moments where we were composed. It was very hard for us to get our machinery going but after we equalised we played well, quite frankly. He added, “we beat ElPozo Murcia, who have show in the Liga that they’re a team with a lot of potential and talent.†The manager went on to thank the supporters in Antequera.
Continuing the streak
The players agree that the team must try and continue this excellent run of title-winning form. “Winning is a beautiful viceand we always want to win. We have to celebrate all the titles we win. It’s a great feeling,†said Ari Santos , who added that “this team continue to make history and we want to make more.†Igor , who share Santos’ sentiments, remembered Fernandao : “despite missing key players, the team demonstrated its power. Now we have to go forthe Liga.â€
Sergi Lozano , one of the stand-out players in the final, places a lot of value on the competition that started on December 6th in Centelles: “we suffered a lot in all of the ties but we managed to compete both in the good and bad times. We’ve shown that we’re a unified team.†On his personal talent, the players said that “I don’t know how good I’ll be, I’m still very young and I’ll keep on working to live moments like these.â€
Lastly, Lin , who celebrates his birthay this Wednesday, said that this is the “best possible present. I’m grateful to all of my team-mates.â€

FCB

 

[Classik]

FUTSAL

King's Cup champions! (6-3)

www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/15/2012 21:30

Barça Alupsport beat ElPozo Murcia in an intense King’s Cup Final in Antequera. This is Barça’s third trophy of the season

Javi Rodríguez, Saad, Lin, Gabriel,Sergio Lozano and Cristian were the Azulgrana goal scorers

Javi Rodríguez levanta la Copa del Rey ganada en Antequera / FOTO: LNFS

Everyone anticipated a fantastic King’s Cup Final and the match lived up to expectations. The firstand second place teams in the Liga clashed in a high-stakes match that ended with familiar outcome: with Barça Alusport lifting the King’s Cup trophy. ElPozo Murcia came out swinging at the start of the match. In the first play, the Murcianos attempted to surprise Cristian in goal with a long-range shot. It was the warning shot across Barça’s bow. Four minutes later, the next shot hit home. De Bali unleashed a shot from the right wing, the ball crashed into the woodwork and Esquerdinha , highest goal scorer of the LNFS, latched onto the rebound to open up the scoring.

The goal jolted Barça Alusport to action. The Catalans’ answer to the goal was one of the best displays of futsal the team had offered up all season. Marc Carmona started to rotate playersonto the court and Lozano was quick to test Rafa with a couple of excellent shots. On 12 minutes, the ElPozo Murcia keeper committed a clear penalty on Wilde , and Javi Rodríguez converted the spot kick (1-1). From that point on, Barça Alusport roared forward. A shot from Saad , almost from half court, took a deflection off Lin and the ball found its way into the back of the net. Barça were not done, a spectacular three-way passing play between Lozano, Ari and Lin ended with Barça’s third goal. It was 1-3 at the half after 10 spectacular minutes from the Azulgranas.

Almost complete equality in the second half

However, at the start of the second half, a goal from Saúl after a shot from Miguelín brought back the excitement at the Pabellón Fernando Argüelles in Antequera. The two stand-out players on there court in the second half were Cristian and Rafa , both the keepers. Both the Barça and ElPozo goalkeepers showed off their best form as they kept their respective opponents at bay.

An overturned ball with seven minutes left on the clock allowed Gabriel , one of the Barça players that was doubtful for tonight’s final, to score the Catalans’ fourthgoal. ElPozo Murcia, in response, sent in a keeper-player and Dani Salgado quickly brought his teamwithin one of Barça. But there’s areason Barça Alusport are the European champions of futsal, Sergi Lozano and Cristian both netted the decisive goals for Carmona’s team. The third title ofthe season had been secured.

Tonight’s victory also served to tip the scales in Barça’s favour. Inthe Liga, the teams finished both their games against each other with draws: 5-5 at the Palau Blaugrana and 4-4 in Murcia.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FCB ESCOLA

Barça to be the first club to setup Official Football School in India



05/16/2012 10:31

FC Barcelona announced the opening of its first official school in New Delhi this Wednesday

FCB Escola in New Delhi



Xevi Marcé: “This is one of the most ambitious projects for FCBEscola worldwide"

Antoni Claveria: "I am looking forward to working with talented youngsters on a sustained and regular basis to nurture India’s young footballers"

Within two months of announcing its plan to enter India in October 2011, FC Barcelona completed the first FCBCamps in Dec 2011 and Jan 2012. With the second set of Camps already underway, more than a thousand enthusiastic young footballers will have experienced the Barca life. The participants have come from over a 100 schools and from more than 20 cities across the country like Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, Jaipur, Bhopal, Baroda & Pune to name a few. Taking forward its commitment, FCBarcelona today announced the setting-up of its official Football School

In October 2011, the Club announced that via FCB Escolas it would be linking up with Conscient Football to set up a campus in India with the aim of providing a long-term training and development platform for aspiring footballers in India for youngsters who wished to start on the road to serious training. Two campuses have already beenheld and have attracted more than a thousand enthusiastic young footballers to have experienced the Barca life. The participants have come from over a 100 schools and from more than 20 cities across the country. Continuing its commitment, FC Barcelona today announced the setting-up of its official Football School.

The Escola will be set up in association with Conscient Football and will be operational within 2012 with a capacity for around 300 players between 6 -14 years of age. The Escola will follow the model of the Club’s other schools – aiming to inculcate the values of the Club throughout the world and offer achance for India’s top young footballers to develop their skills.

After setting up the school in New Delhi, Barça and Conscient Football are aiming to set up other programmes in the country’s main cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Goa amongst others.

Ambitious project

In the press conference to present the school in New Delhi, the FCBEscola Director, Xevi Marcé , explained: “This is one of the most ambitious projects for FCBEscola worldwide. We hope totrain 10,000 young footballers in the next three years and with FCBEScola we will provide the depth and the quality needed to develop coaches and players from a very young age. We are very excited to be here and to share our vision with Conscient Footballâ€.

Antoni Claveria, director tècnic del’FCBEscola de Delhi

Marcé introduced Antoni Claviera as the Technical Director for FCBEscola Delhi, who will be stationed in Delhi and he commented:â€it was a great experience for me to start the Barca India project in Dec 2011 and now I am thrilled to be the Technical Director of FCBEscola Delhi. I am looking forward to working with talented youngsters on a sustained and regular basis to nurture India’s young footballers.â€

Finally, ex- Barça player Josep Moratalla , who is currently a coach on the FCBCampus, expressed his satisfaction at the programme and his conviction that it would be†a great sucessâ€

FCB,

VANESSA FORNS

 

[Classik]

FUTSAL
The first match of the playoffs at the Palau will be played on the 26th at 13:00
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 05/16/2012 10:31
The final match of the series will be played, if necessary, at the Palau on Monday the 28th at 19:00
FCB Alusport-Carnicer Torrejón / PHOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB
The reigning champions of the King’s Cup , FC Barcelona Alusport,were given the schedule of their quarter-final Liga playoff matches. The first game will be played this Saturday at 18:30 on Carnicer Torrejón ’s court. The second will be played at the Palau Blaugrana on Saturday the 26th at 13:00, and, in the event an additional match is needed, the tiebreaker will be played at the Palau on Monday the 28 at 19:00.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Preparations for Cup Final continue

WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 05/16/2012 11:59

The first team squad were fully focused on the Cup Final when they trained this morning. Both Alexis and Pinto trained normally with the rest of the players.

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

Today was the second session dedicated to preparations for the Cup Final on May 25th against Athletic Bilbao at the Vicente Calderón and Guardiola put the players through their paces with the focus very clearly on the only remaining game of the season.

As he did on Tuesday, Alexis Sánchez again trained normally as he recovers from the injury that kept him out of the last three league games, whilst José Manuel Pinto , who missed trip toface Betis with an ankle injury, also worked with the rest of the squad.

Three B team players and one from Youth A

In the session, held at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper , all the available squad players were present, as well as Barça B youngsters Tello, Bartra and Montoya and 18-year-old Youth A midfielder Jordi Quintillà .

FCB

 

[Classik]

BARÇA 2.0
Fantasy Manager 2012 now available for Android
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/16/2012 12:21
Fantasy Manager 2012, the game which puts you in charge of the Club – on the field and off it –is now available on the Android platform following its success on the iPhone and Facebook

Fantasy Manager, també per a Android
After the successful launch a few months ago of the FC Barcelona Fantasy Manager 2012 for Facebook and iPhone, the game is now available on Android. Fantasy Manager 2012, gives you the chance to run the Club, both on the pitch and off it and interact with other users.
Fantasy Manager 2012 is a multiplatform game which allowsthe user to take control of Barça, from creating a squad, training sessions, picking a team, buildinga training ground, controlling finances and competing in exclusive tournaments against other users from all over the world to win prizes.
A success for the FCB Apps programme
Speaking at a workshop for developers a few days ago, DídacLee, Director in charge of New Technologies, identified the app as a model for products being developed as part of the FCB Appsprogramme: “for its quality design, user experience, updates which bring real added value, high level of customer loyalty and its viable business modelâ€.
The game has been developed byFrom the bench, a Spanish company which boasts a wide range of experience in the sectorof social games of a sporting nature.
Download
FCB Fantasy Manager

FCB

 

[Classik]

First Team
Training session 16/05/2012 12:45

PHOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ - FCB

FCB

 

[Classik]

First group photo with the new Masia residents
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/16/2012 13:52
This Wednesday, the residents of the new Masía posed for the traditional group photo with Masía staff

PHOTO: ÃLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB

This Wednesday, 56 of the 74 residents of the new Masía posed for the traditional group photo with Masía director, Carles Folguera , and the rest of the Masía staff. The only members of the Masía that didn’t make it were the junior basketball players, due to a scheduling conflict.
Photos were snapped in two different locations. The first one was done in front of the main entrance of the main building, while the second one was done under the sign the reads ‘La Masia. Centro de Formación Oriol Tort.’
The new Masía was inaugurated on October 20 of 2011. The new building has an area of 6,000 square meters spread over five floors.

FCB

 

[Classik]

Mascherano: “Tito is the best thing that could have happenedâ€


05/16/2012 13:57
Reckons it â€is the least traumatic change possible†and it guarantees: “the style of football is going to continueâ€

Mascherano confessed that Guardiola has been his most influential coach
Speaking about the Pilota d’Or, he declared: “Messi has improvedyear on year and he deserves to win itâ€
Happy with his own situation
Javier Mascherano is “very happy†with his personal position at the Club and he has no intention of leaving: “I don’t think I deserve a new contract either. If I have the chance to continue or get a new deal in thefuture, that will be greatâ€. However, when he was asked about becoming captain he replied: “I think the captains we have are the ones we should have. They represent us very well, to the board, the technical staff and to the outside world in generalâ€.
Speaking at a press conference this lunchtime, Javier Mascherano gave his view of the Club’s new coach: “Tito is the continuation of this project. It is the least traumatic change possible and the best thing that could have happened to Barça. With his styleand his changes, the style of our football is not going to change and that is the most important thing for the Clubâ€.
Great future for the squad
Although he would have liked to see Guardioal stay on at the Club, Mascherano believes the boss: “has left a team which still has a great future, with experienced players who can guide the youngsters. He’s the most influential coach I’ve had because of his way of seeing the game, for his leadership, for howhe faces every match and for the way he lives this job. He’s a coachwho lives the game 24 hours a dayâ€.
Guardiola and Bielsa: “they won’tbetray their way of thinkingâ€
Asked to compare Guardiola and ex-Argentina and current Bilbao coach Bielsa , Mascherano claimed: “I think that they are very similar in that they always look to win a game and try and play well - they think first about their opponents’ area before their own. Also, neither of them will betray their way of thinking, regardless of any risk the team may be facing they never changetheir philosophy and they won’t betray their way of thinking about the game. Guardiola is maybe a little closer to the players – Bielsa is more like a schoolmaster. I had him as coach 8 years ago and he’s a coach whois always trying to change, so maybe he is different nowâ€.
Winning is expected
Mascherano also stated that “a win in the Final would be the best possible send off†for Guardiola, “though at a Club like this, winning is something we always are expected to do. It’s a bit strange having so long to prepare for the game – we are more used to playing every threedays and when you have a 10 or 12 day break, you notice it. However at this stage of the season, it’s good to have a slight rest from playing and train hard to be ready in the best possible wayâ€.
Praise for Messi and Alves
Mascherano also had praise for his fellow countryman Leo Messi and after his 72 goals: “he deserves the Ballon d’Or†-he just gets better with every seasonâ€, Dani Alves also received the thumbs up, with the Argentineanclaiming: “he’s the best rightback in the world, not only for his goals and assists, but also for the way he gees up the rest of the teamâ€.

FCB,

Roger Bogunyà

 

[Classik]

FUTSAL
The video of the Cup champions
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/16/2012 13:58
Here are the best images of BarçaAlusport's King's Cup victory in Antequera. This is Barça's third title of the season
El vídeo dels campions de Copa



VIDEO

FCB

 

[Classik]

Dani Alves, out of action for 6 to 8 weeks
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/16/2012 15:02
The player underwent surgery this afternoon to correct his fractured clavicle after sustaininghis injury this morning during the first team's training session

Dani Alves es trenca la clavícula dreta durant l'entrenament d'aquest matí / FOTO: MIGUEL RUIZ- FCB

Doctors Ricard Pruna and Carles Torrens, in collaboration with Mutua Egarsat, performed surgery on Dani Alves’s broken clavicle at Barcelona Hospital. Theplayer underwent complete coracoclavicular reconstruction via transosseous loop and end-to-end sutures.
The player will be out of action for six to eight weeks. Therefore the Brazilian defender will miss the King’s Cup Final on May 25 at the Vicente Calderón against Athletic Club.
Dani Alves was injured during this morning’s training session atthe Ciutat Esportiva.

FCB

 

[Classik]

BARÇA 2.0

FC Barcelona working for Twitter in Catalan

www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/17/2012 09:00

The social network site has officially announced that Catalan will be present in its translation centre – the first step towards making it an official language onthe site. The Club’s Catalan account currently has 1,7 million followers

FC Barcelona has consolidated its leadership on the social network with more than 9 million users on its three Twitter accounts - @fcbarcelona_cat, @fcbarcelona_es and @fcbarcelona

@FCBarcelona is the first sports club account on Twitter to reach 5 million followers.

Logo Twitter FC Barcelona

Twitter in Catalan is a step closer to reality. Using his own Twitter account on November 6th last year, Club President Sandro Rosell joined a campaign #twitterencatalà set up by various users and associations to have Catalan become an official language on Twitter. Alongside his efforts, FC Barcelona have alsobeen working closely with the social network site , where they are the leading sports club in the world with more than 9 million followers of their three accounts - @fcbarcelona_cat , @fcbarcelona_es and @fcbarcelona . The Club’s Catalan account, @fcbarcelona_cat , currently has 1,7 million followers.

This Wednesday, Twitter has announced that Catalan will be one of the new languages in its translation centre , which is the first step towards normalising the use of Catalan on the site. Twitter and FC Barcelona are working closely to promote Catalan on this social network website – something thousands of users have been asking for for many years. "My gratitude and acknowledgement to the people that pushed for #twittercatalà for their perseverance, and very grateful to Twitter for listening to us" said President Sandro Rosell on his Twitter account.

Breaking Records

This week, the Club’s English account on Twitter - @fcbarcelona passed the 5 million followers mark – something no other professional team in the world has achieved. Together with the other official accounts - @fcbarcelona_cat and @fcbarcelona_es (itself the sixth most popular sporting account inthe world), the total number of Club followers is more than 9 million – a figure which confirms the Club as a leader on social networks and is a reflection of itscommitment to new technologiesand social networking for its fans.

This success is the result of a strategic decision taken by the Club, which Board member in charge of New Technologies Didac Lee explained: “Barça has to be a leader and a pioneer, as well as a symbol of excellence. We have fans all over the world and the Club’s social networks allow us to reach them allâ€.

Facebook, Tencent Weibo and Google

FC Barcelona is not just present on Twitter of course – the Club have nearly 31 million fans on Facebook , ahead of Real Madrid and Manchester United (27,1 and 24,2 million each). In addition, Barça’s YouTube channel has 290,000 subscribers and more than 95 million visitors. The Club’s Google+ account has more than 1,3 million followers and on the principal Chinese social network, Tencent Weibo , the Club has more than a million fans.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FOOTBALL- BARÇA B
Barça appeal Dos Santos' red card
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/17/2012 09:34
FC Barcelona presented an appealto the Competition Committee forthe red card shown to the Mexican midfielder during Barça B's match against Valladolid

Dos Santos, given a red card against Valladolid. PHOTO: ÀLEX CAPARRÓS-FCB.
Jonathan dos Santos was given his marching orders on the 87th minute in the match against Valladolid for “kicking an opponent in the leg, no medical attention was required after saidkick, when the ball was at a distance,†according to the referees post-match report.
The Club have presented an appeal to the Competition Committee to nullify the red card so that the Mexican can play in Barça B’s next match.

FCB

 

[Classik]

FC Barcelona fan zone for the King's Cup Final in Madrid-Río
WWW.FCBARCELONA.CAT 05/17/2012 10:00
FC Barcelona fans that will attendthe King’s Cup Final at the VicenteCalderón on May 25 will have a dedicated fan zone in Madrid where they will be able to enjoy recreational activities and musical performances

The fans that will accompany Josep Guardiola ’s team to the Vicente Calderón for the King’s Cup Final will have, for the hours leading up to the match, a fan zone where they will be able to enjoy different activities. At the Barça fan zone there will be a relaxation areas, live musical performances, video displays andworkshops.
Fan zone location
The meeting point for Barça fans will be situated at the Madrid-Río event groups, next to the Parque Matadero , located two kilometers away, a 35 minute walk, from the Vicente Calderón. Keeping in mind that the match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club will start at 22:00, and that the stadium will open its doors three hours before kickoff.Barça fans are encouraged to gather at the fan zone from 10:00to 19:30.
MAP
Meeting area
Here are the main attractions of the Barça fan zone
Information and relaxation tents
There will be an information tentwhere FC Barcelona employees will attend to the needs of Barça members. There will also be rest and relaxation tent, decorated in red and blue, where fans will be able to purchase food and drink. This second tent, which will feature seats and tables, can also be used for rest.
Concert tent
This covered concert area, 45x20 meters, will feature live musical performances before the match. Obeses is up first, from 17:00 to 17:45, followed by Edna (18:00 to 18:45), Amelie (16:00 to 16:45) and Dept (19:00 to 20:00).
Piano Bar
The first FC Barcelona fans to arrive will be able to attend the Piano Bar, which is open from 11:00 to 14:00. There will be Catalan folk music, including an appearance from Miquel Abras (11:00 to 12:00) and Jofre Barbagí (12 to 13). There will also be a large LED display that will show first-team highlights throughout the day. Right in front of the stage there will be shading, seatsand tables.
Workshops and activities
This area is exclusively dedicated to recreation. There will be foosball tables , the Catalan donkey , Catalan bowling , a shootometer , sumo-football , a keychain and button workshop , a face-paint area , and a “score a goal†booth.
Botiga Barça
There will also be a FC Barcelona store that will feature Club merchandising and Cup Final special edition shirts.

FCB

 

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FC Barcelona communiqué
www.fcbarcelona.cat 05/17/2012 10:52
FC Barcelona expresses its indignation for the false information contained in the article published in El Mundo

Comunicat FC Barcelona
Football Club Barcelona expressesits indignation for the falsity of information contained in the article published in El Mundo , written by Salvador Sostres, titled‘Penultimate betrayals.’ Given thegravity of the attacks on the Club’s honour, on its President, and on the manager of the first team, the Club will immediately undertake the following actions:
1) In accordance with the Ley Orgánica on the right of rectification, the Club will petition the director of the aforementioned media outlet to rectify the published information .
2) In the following days, the Club will pursue litigation against Salvador Sostres and the individuals involved in the writing and dissemination of the above mentioned article to obtain compensation for damages caused to the Club, the Club President and the manager of the first team.
Lastly, the Club warns that it will be unyielding in defence of its honour and vigorously condemnsany action that seeks to undermine the social structure ofthe Club .

FCB