Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu stands by the departure of Luis Suarez.

Suarez was pushed out of Barca over the summer as he moved to Atletico Madrid.

Bartomeu, who resigned as president yesterday, said: "The internal restyling of the team had to be done first. I recognise it and I have assumed responsibility by calling the next presidential elections in March.

"We had to rejuvenate the squad and change certain dynamics. This led to the sale of key players, whom I want to thank again today for their contribution.

"We brought young Barça B and talents to the first team for the future."