this is a summary of the blog FC Barcelona 2010 where you can follow the build-up to the elections on a daily basis. the blog can also be followed through facebook and twitter. you can click on the links to read the full story. you can read all previous episodes of this weekly here.

Godall,who earlier claimed he would continue with his candidacy, said in his formal statement of withdrawal that  the many challenges facing the club needed “new people and new ideas”: “I’ve always been in favour of joining forces and overcome old disputes, because projects are more important than people, and above all that is our beloved FC Barcelona.”

His statements  would have been made in obvious reference to the board’s objection to a unity pact with the group of former Barcelona economic vice-president Ferran Soriano with whom Godall has reportedly held talks in an attempt to put together a unified candidacy.

Souces claim that the decision to replace Godall with Ferrer was made last Tuesday during an emergency meeting where Laporta reportedly withdrew his support after Godall insisted that  Soriano be included in his candidacy. Soriano, together with some directors loyal to him,  had resigned from the board in 2008 after a no-confidence vote failed to unseat Barcelona president Laporta.

Godall’s insistence on Soriano’s inclusion would have been instigated by recent poll results indicating that neither he nor Ferrer could win the elections alone, but that a candidacy with him, Ferrer and Soriano would have a winning chance against front runner Sandro Rosell.

The decision to support Ferrer was later explained by Laporta in his Facebook page, where he claimed that the board majority decided to throw their support behind Ferrer to ensure that the continuity candidate came from within their ranks: “By a large majority, we have decided to close the ranks and to have one candidate coming from the current board, which will ensure the continuity of the current model that has brought Barça to live the best moments in its history.

In the wake of Godall’s withdrawal, Ferran Soriano has also finally confirmed he will not be participating in the June 13 elections.

Soriano made the announcement at a press conference held on Friday, 26 March, where he stated that his current responsibilities as chairman of Spanish airlines Spanair  prevent him from taking part in any candidacy at the moment : “Although I keep on thinking that my position at Spanair and that of president of FC Barcelona can be combined, the opinion of the shareholders has had an influence. I love my club but this isn’t the right moment.”

Sources claim that pressure from Spanair shareholders would have been decisive in Soriano’s decision but that political pressure was a factor as well.

It is said that Soriano and his right hand man, former Barcelona vice-president Marc Ingla would now be looking for someone to lead the project after former Barcelona vice-president Albert Vicens reportedly declined an offer for him to head a candidacy. The speculation now is that Ingla himself could run and would reportedly make his decision after Easter.

Board continuity candidate Jaume Ferrer has, over the past week, officially presented new members to his board team, namely:  real estate developer Carles Ayats, Catalan lawyer Ramon Estebe, and architect Josep Ribas.  They will be joined by five current Barcelona directors and loyal Ferrer supporters Albert Perrin, Alfons Castro, Jacint Borras, Josep Anton Colomer, and Jordi Torrent.

With the exception of Godall and Barcelona treasurer Xavier Sala i Martin, majority of the directors are now supporting Ferrer, including sports vice-president Rafael Yuste, who in a recent interview lauded the Barcelona board for having achieved its objective of having a unity candidate.

Sala meantime confirmed that he had refused Laporta’s offer to head the continuity ticket, and claims he is undecided on whom to support: “I’m not sure what to do now. My main option was a candidacy of Alfons Godall with the support of Joan Laporta that included others.”

Reacting to recent events,  candidates Jaume Guixa and Agusti Benedito respectively claimed that the latest board upheaval has put the credibility of the continuity project in doubt, and that  these events show that personalities have taken precedence over club interests. Jaume Lopez, campaign director of  former Barcelona sports vice-president Sandro Rosell, also said their group respects all candidates and that more changes should be expected in the coming days.

Rosell, according to reports, would be officially presenting his candidacy in the second half of April instead of after elections are formally called as initially planned.

Sources say that 37-year old Catalan businesswoman Susana Monje, head of diversified holdings firm and commercial sponsor of Spanish third division club Toledo, the Essentium Group, would be Rosell’s choice for Barcelona treasurer, if elected.

Other personalities being linked to Rosell’s candidacy would be former Barcelona players Guillermo Amor and Migueli, and former youth director Josep Colomer who was dismissed from the club after Rosell left in 2005.

Candidate Agusti Benedito has in the meantime made public his campaign slogan and logo. Benedito later said in an interview  he will support the current “Cruyff” sporting model and would aim to strengthen the youth areas. Benedito also confirmed he would dispense with the services of current youth director Jose Ramon Alexanko and claims he is certain he would convince Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to go along with his plans.

Candidate Jaume Guixa reportedly wants to strengthen the women’s football section and open a babysitting service at the Camp Nou, while former Barcelona first vice-president and rumoured candidate, Joan Castells, is said to be considering options but has revealed that  it is unlikely that he would be a candidate himself.

Finally in the news,  legendary Barcelona player and coach, Johan Cruyff,  has become honorary president of  FC Barcelona. Club chief executive Joan Oliver confirmed that the board has unanimously chosen Cruyff  for having “ inspired or founded a model and a way to understand the club” and for being the “father of the success of 2009”.  Under club statutes, the Barcelona board is given the authority to confer honorific titles to individuals “in recognition of their dedication and importance to the Club”.

Our quote of the week is from Josep Fonalleras of Catalan news daily, Sport :

The discrete strategy of Sandro Rosell seems to be the winning one even before he presents his candidacy. I don’t know if it’s arabic or chinese, but the saying seems to be perfectly valid: “Sit down on the doorstep of your house and watch the corpse of your enemy pass by.

Most read post of the week:

Logo and first campaign slogan Benedito revealed

Must read post of the week:

Ferrer becomes official continuity candidate

Interesting sidenote of the week:

Cruyff becomes honorary president