Aquiles Álvarez Henriques stepped aside from the presidency of Barcelona's Football Commission last December, after having disagreements with José Francisco Cevallos, the bullfighting club's president. Now, the executive intends to return to the club by running for vice president on the list led by Carlos Alfaro Moreno.
According to Álvarez, the group he is part of has a "real project to clean up" the club's finances and affirms that the debt is $29 million, but does not rule out that there may be "contingencies" that could increase that amount.
The vice presidential candidate also talks about punishing those responsible for the crisis and revealed yesterday, in a conversation with the "City Noticias" program on "Radio City", that the total "clean up" could take up to seven years.
What leads you to run for a position when the amount of Barcelona's debt is unknown, or do you know it?
We decided to do it because we have been working on a serious project with solid foundations for six or seven months to be able to implement it in Barcelona. Basically, we seek the economic recovery of the club to restructure the liabilities over seven or eight years, with the real flow that Barcelona has. Although people don't believe it, three years of being inside Barcelona were important to understand the internal problems.
How much is owed?
We have certified, on our part, that there is really a $29 million debt. That value is terrifying, but hopefully it won't increase if we win. Based on audited balances presented at the assembly, we have put together a recovery plan for the debt restructuring. We have a very clear understanding. We contemplate certain contingencies, in addition to those $29 million, but we are not afraid. We took our time to present the candidacy precisely to certify that the project we have is viable. That plan motivated us to run because it is a real instrument to finally put an end to the problem that has been afflicting the club for a long time.
Are four years enough to achieve what you call 'Zero Deficit'? What sporting sacrifices will the recovery imply?
In the sporting aspect, there is no concern; the budget will be respected. When we took over in 2016, we reduced it and ironically won the title. We brought in players who didn't know each other, but they performed. That's where we should aim: to look for players who don't cost much.
If they are not well-known, it doesn't matter; we have to study them well so that when they arrive we know they will perform. The $29 million comes from the audited balance and there may be contingencies, but it is impossible to recover in four years.
That is why our proposal is to convene, as a first step, an extraordinary assembly for the members to authorize the debt restructuring plan with the securitization of flows.
How long would it take?
We do not propose more than seven years starting from 2020.
Does Cevallos tilt the balance in his favor with the hiring of Jhon Cifuente? Will your list make any signings?
In the sporting aspect, due to the team's situation that seeks to qualify for the playoffs, I would not like to comment on that. As a fan, I can have an opinion, but as a candidate, I should not speak. Whether it influences the members or not, they have a high capacity for analysis and they know that beyond any sporting issue, there is the institutional one. The members will prioritize a good project, like the one we have, before signings and other things.
The current board promised to punish its predecessors, but did not fulfill that campaign promise. What will your list do about it?
We will be accountable to the members. The Assembly is the highest authority of the club and we will comply with any resolution that is made. The members feel that things should be known, that the situation should be transparent and that actions should be taken (against those at fault). Not doing so would affect our name and image because we need to clarify in what situation we will receive the club.
How difficult will it be to compete against Cevallos?
Every contest is difficult. José Francisco has significant support, but we believe that our proposal will be approved by the members. We do not consider it easy at all, and they (the rival list) know that defeating us will not be easy. We have faith and bravery because we believe that we offer the best to rescue Barcelona.
Jaime Nebot's and Isidro Romero's proposal, along with other Barcelona members, to pay for an international audit, favors us greatly. We will finally have clear numbers. That information will be publicly exposed.
Aquiles Álvarez, candidate for the vice presidency of Barcelona
(D)