Barcelona presidential candidate Jordi Farre has welcomed the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Bartomeu stepped down as president yesterday, along with his board, as the Farre backed vote of no confidence proposal was presented.

Farre declared: "Happy because this bad dream is over, but there is nothing to celebrate. A new stage begins in which we want to manage the club.

"I had no doubts. Before starting the process, we were clear that people were tired of Barçagate, the (Lionel) Messi case ...

"He is never going to leave the club. He has to be linked for life. Madrid knew how to take advantage of (Alfredo) Di Stefano. He is going to earn more money being linked to Barça. Leo is the history of the club and must have a statue bigger than the stadium."

Farre also said of Bartomeu: "He took me to the Civil Guard saying that we forged signatures. Bartomeu has died killing others. It is a way of not knowing how to lose."