Laporta set to continue as chief without election

Joan Laporta is expected to be declared president of Barcelona for the next four years after his rivals for the post were unable to raise the support of the required 1,804 club members in order to stand in the election.

Laporta, elected to the post in 2003, was ordered to hold a new poll in July following a ruling by a Spanish judge, who upheld a complaint by three club members that he had exceeded his four-year term in office.

The judge ruled that according to the statute the year ran from July to June, and that as Laporta had taken power on June 22, 2003, the eight days before the end of the month constituted his first year in office.

However, none of the pre-candidates were able to raise the necessary number of signatures needed to stand and leading rivals Jaume Guixa and Jordi Medina said they would withdraw from the race.

With Laporta reported to have exceeded the requirements with ease, the 44-year-old lawyer will now continue as president until 2010.

The club is expected to confirm him in his post later this week.