Has Barcelona's season fallen apart completely as they drop two more places to seventh.

European Power Rankings

1 (1) Manchester United - 23.95

2 (3) Arsenal - 20.92

3 (2) Chelsea - 20.77

4 (4) Internazionale - 20.46

5 (5) Sevilla - 20.24

6 (7) Liverpool - 20.00

7 (5) Barcelona - 19.90

8 (9) Roma - 19.45

9 (6) Porto - 19.10

10 (11) Everton - 18.55

11 (10) Fenerbahce - 18.17

12 (12) Real Madrid - 17.96

13 (13) Milan - 16.99

14 (17) Werder Bremen - 16.84

15 (14) Olympiacos - 16.83

16 (16) Bayern Munich - 16.81

17 (15) Hamburg - 16.15

18 (16) Lyon - 16.12

19 (19) Fiorentina - 15.66

20 (20) Rangers - 15.56

Link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/09052008/3/barcelona-members-request-censure-motion-against-board.html

The crisis at Barcelona over its poor season deepened Friday as two club members launched a censure motion against the management of the Spanish club that seeks the ouster of is president, Joan Laporta, and his board of directors.

Oriol Giralt Gili and Christian Castellvi Clement delivered a written warning to the board informing them that they had begun the process to request a censure motion, essentially a vote of no confidence, against the board, the club said on its website.

The move comes one day after Laporta announced that reserve team coach Pep Guardiola, a former player, will take over from Frank Rijkaard at the end of the season, the club's second without any silverware.

Barcelona were eliminated in the Champions League semi-final by Manchester United and trail Real Madrid in the Spanish league by 17 points in third place with two games remaining after losing 4-1 to the new champions on Wednesday.

The defeat means the Catalan side will miss out on automatic qualification for the Champions League since they will not be able to finish any higher than third in the Spanish league which has just two rounds remaining.

"More than ever, a censure motion is necessary," Gili told reporters as he went into Barcelona's headquarters, the Internet edition of El Mundo reported.

Barcelona's club statutes allow for a motion of censure to be officially put in place if five percent of the club's members who qualify as voters -- adults who have been members for more than one year -- sign a petition.

The club has roughly 117,000 members with voting rights, meaning the petition will need to gather the signatures of around 6,000 members.

FC Barcelona sees revenue prospects surge to all-time high.

Since assuming office in 2003, Barca president, Joan laporta has done well for himself and the club, turning around a huge deficit he inherited to create one of the financially sound clubs and sporting outfits in the present day world of sports. To add to its already soaring earnings, two major deals have been struck by the club management, which will bolster the coffers at Camp Nou and give the club an income of €400m-a-year and around €100m of that could be used to buy players. The first, and largest, contract that has been signed is with television company Mediapro for the rights to Barça's games and will see the club receive €750m between the 2008/2009 and 2012/2013 campaigns. That will see Barça earn around €160m-a-year, which is nearly €40m more than they currently receive.

Added to that is the contract with sportswear giant Nike which has been renewed for around €30m-a-year, although both parties have been sworn to secrecy over the figures involved. Barça were receiving €15m-a-year from the company to manufacture their kits and apparel, but Sport believe that has now doubled.
FC Barcelona has also benefitted immensely from goodwill, as the outfit, which is more than a club, has partnerships with world charity organisations like the Unicef and the UNESCO.
The overall prospects of the great club look better than ever, with more ideas and designs still in the pipeline and ready for implementation.

Joan Laporta asks fans to show support at hard times.

The club president of the Catalan giants was equally not happy with the recent turn of events in the el clasico, but stressed that any great team underwent hard times, and that the players need support at such times and not jeers and persecution:

This is the time the team needs support and encouragement. The fans must show support to the players. It's not over yet and we an still bounce back after the break. We know an important disadvantage has been gained against us, but that doesn't spell disaster. We shall turn things around.

Fans of FC Barcelona have been unhappy with the team players performance right from the first day of the La Liga, when Barca played a goalless draw with a lowly team after being tipped to overrun all the teams in the Primera judging by the caliber of players in the Blaugrana. However, Barca are doing superbly in the Uefa Champions League.

Laporta praises the Catalan giants, Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho.

FC Barcelona's President, Joan Laporta was back to his best and exumed great confidence after the whitewash of La Liga spoilers, Real Betis. The Catalan club official did not reserve words for the great talents showed by the Blaugrana on Sunday night, leaving no one in doubt as to their ability to win the La Liga trophy. Barcelona have been playing very attractive football and have not relied on luck to secure last minute wins. A grateful Laporta thundered about the team:

This team transmits emotion, enthusiasm and it shows as the people come to watch them. The side is looking more and more solid and this will be hopeful to help us achieve the objectives that we have set ourselves. The fans are with this team, they help and that is the best thing.

Laporta was ecstatic watching Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho score. This was not just because of the magic and beauty in the goals, but also for the importance such goals held for the scorers them selves. Henry had largely been unfairly critisized by haters of Barca for not scoring a basket full of goals in his first few months at the La Liga, while Ronaldinho has been haunted by the press who are accussing the Brazilian of being too relaxed on the pitch and so not able to perform to like he used to. Laporta was happy that things were changing:

Ronaldinho and Henry need the goals. I am pleased for them and for the team. I will motivate them even more and it will lift the squad. They are among the best players in the world. They have us real strength.

The president ended the interview with a quick look at the upcoming Champions League match against Galsgow Rangers in Camp Nou, a match which is expected to fully separate the two teams in the group who are tied with seven points each at the top of Group E. Joan Laporta hopes for a win from Barca:

If we win we would be in a great position.

The Champions League match against Glasgow Rangers will take place at Camp Nou on the 7th of November, 2007. Kick-off time is 20:45 hours local time.