Barcelona club president won't resign after 20,000 sign petition

BARCELONA, Spain, Sept 20 (AP): Barcelona's embattled club president has no intention of resigning after more than 20,000 club members signed a petition for JosepBartomeu and his board to face a censure vote.

"No one is thinking about stepping down," Bartomeu told Catalan television TV3 on Saturday before Barcelona beat Elche 1-0 in its third and final preseason match.

On Thursday the group of club members wanting a change in the leadership handed in 20,687 signatures calling for a referendum over whether the board should be removed. That surpassed the 16,520 signatures - the equivalent to 15 per cent of all members - needed to force the vote. The success of the signature-raising campaign led to speculation in local media that Bartomeu would contemplate resigning.

"The number (of signatures) surprised even the promoters of the motion," Bartomeu said. "The board will continue working to build the most competitive team possible."