Barcelona president Joan Laporta has come under further pressure after a club member's bid to force a vote of confidence in his administration looks certain to succeed.

Oriol Giralt presented 12 boxes containing the signatures of 9,473 club members demanding a vote of censure, 3,591 more than the minimum required for such a measure to take place.

If the Barcelona board validates the signatures, the club will be obliged to hold a referendum which is expected to take place in early July.

Laporta's opponents would need to have the support of over two-thirds of voters with a minimum turnout of 10 percent of members entitled to vote if they are to force a presidential election.

"Even we are surprised by how many people have signed," Giralt said. "The number is exceptional.... The president should reflect on the fact that the majority of members are asking him to leave.

"I honestly think that getting enough signatures for the vote to go ahead is more difficult that winning the actual vote," Giralt added.

Laporta tried the same technique 10 years ago when he led the "Elefant Blau" (Blue Elephant) group opposed to the administration of then president Josep Lluis Nunez, but he was unable to garner sufficient support to unseat his rival.

The Barcelona president has been heavily criticised for the way he has run the club in the past two seasons with fans staging several protests calling for his resignation after the team failed to win any silverware for a second year in succession.

The club has responded to the failures by sacking coach Frank Rijkaard and appointing ex-captain and Nou Camp favourite Pep Guardiola as his replacement.

They have also signed former youth team player Gerard Pique from Manchester United and Mali midfielder Seydou Keita from Sevilla in an attempt to revitalise the squad, while a number of leading players such as Ronaldinho, Deco and possibly Samuel Eto'o are expected to leave in the close season.

Reuters