Vice-president Rosell joins exodus from Barcelona

The rift in the Barcelona board widened yesterday when vice-president Sandro Rosell and director Josep Maria Bartomeu said they had decided to resign.

The announcement comes two days after director Jordi Mones said he was quitting and provided more evidence of disagreements over the way president Joan Laporta has been running the club.

Barcelona wrapped up their first league title in six years just over two weeks ago but their success has not been enough to heal the deep divisions within the board.

"I'm leaving without any bad feeling," Rosell said. "But if these resignations make him (Laporta) correct his mistakes and resolve his conflict with himself then it will be good for the club."

Rosell said part of the reason for the split within the board was because of the influence former player and coach Johan Cruyff was exerting on Laporta, even though the Dutchman does not hold any official post within the club.