Barcelona president Sandro Rosell held his customary end-of-season press conference this morning at the Camp Nou, to do an overview of the previous season. Rosell discussed various matters related to the club like Pep, Tito, Abidal, the economic situation, Camp Nou remodeling, the Mourinho-Tito punishment and the season ticket pricing. After discussing the balance of the season, the president was then subjected to questions from journalists on some portentous topics related to the club.

Rosell showed his satisfaction for the “record-breaking season,” which saw the Club’s professional teams claim 17 official titles. “It was only a year ago that we had the best season in Club history, with 16 titles. This year we won 17. If I had to define the season today, I’d say that it has been excellent and exciting,” said the president, who started his press conference with a minute of silence in memory of former Real Betis player Miki Roqué, who succumbed to cancer a few days ago.

On Pep and Tito

“Thanks Pep, because you have earned 14 trophies in four years. It is a remarkable achievement both for the sheer quantity and for the way they have been achieved. You accomplished these things with the values that we want to teach the children at La Masia. And now, we’re all with Tito. He represents the continuation of a successful model; our way of playing won’t change and the players are delighted to have him. He has our absolute support.”

On the club’s Economic situation and transfer budget

“This season will be closed with a record profit of around 40 million euros, surpassing the projected net profit of 21 million euros set at the beginning of the season. This money will be used to invest in equity to reduce the debt, which now stands at 340 million euros, down from 420 million euros from two years ago (when the current Board of Directors started to manage the Club). The debt will not affect the day-to-day business of the Club, seeing that debt reduction actions have to do with investing in equity, whereas the acquisition of players has been included in the Club’s working budget.”

“The average amount of money spent on new signings for this year and over the next few years will be 40 million euros a year. If we spend only 10 million in one year, we will have 30 million more to spend next year, or vice versa.”

On the socis and season ticket pricing

“We said that we wouldn’t increase the price in the first two years of our first term, and we kept that promise. Additionally, the Board decided to not increase the price of 2012/13 season tickets due to the economic situation that we are all enduring. Also for the first time in eight years, the first 200 applicants in the waiting list will have corresponding tickets. We want this to happen every year and we want the process to be transparent.”

“The Grada Jove (Youth tier) will be a reality when we have a guarantee of tolerance and security”

Camp Nou remodeling and Palau Blaugrana

“There are two things that need to happen, but they can’t happen until we reduce our debt. We’re taking a step backwards in order to take three steps forward. We will not create the Espai Barça, and the Camp Nou and Palau Blaugrana renovations will not happen at this time. We can’t proceed with these projects at this moment, however, we will do them at a later date and the decision will be put to the Club members by means of a Club referendum. The decision to build a new stadium or renovate the Camp Nou is one we have to live with for the rest of our lives and it needs to be made by the Club members.”

On Jordi Alba, Drogba and Javi Martínez rumours

“I don’t like that these negotiations (on Jordi Alba) are public, but they already are. With that said, Jordi Alba’s value will be set in the agreement.”

“I know nothing about Drogba. If he’s in Barcelona, he’s on vacation, it has nothing to do with Barça.”

“If we had any interest in Javi Martínez, I wouldn’t admit it. If we were not interested in him, I wouldn’t admit it either. We have to go about these things with prudence and secrecy, because if we don’t the price of the player goes up and that hurts FC Barcelona.”

On Laporta’s criticism of his board

“The two of us will not fight if we make an effort not to. The fights are bad for the club and I do not want to fight him (Laporta). Case closed.”

On the possibility of Mourinho and Tito’s Super Cup suspensions being pardoned

“We will not accept a general pardon. Our coach was attacked, and that cannot go unpunished. We will continue to defend with facts, facts are more than words. If someone hurts us we will continue with the legal facts, we demand and we will continue doing the same. It is the way to defend the club, turning to the judges. The money we earn will go to help needy people.”

Sources: fcbarcelona.cat, mundodeportivo.com