Sandro Rosell announces Barcelona resignation

Sandro Rosell has resigned as president of Barcelona, after announcing his decision to the club's board on Thursday afternoon.

The Spaniard is embroiled in a lawsuit against him which relates to alleged irregularities surrounding the signing of Neymar last summer.

Rosell was expected to step down following the controversy, and the 49-year-old has now formally resigned.

He told the club's official website: "In all of these years we have seen that our successes are the result of our victories on the pitch and overcoming innumerable obstacles off the pitch: political, external and, what's worse, at times the pressure has come from our own environment"

"It has been an honour to serve the Barcelonistas. It's been a privilege to be the president of FC Barcelona. I wish the best to the new president and I ask the club members to support him"

"I also want to thank my family. They, in the end, are the essence of my life. They are the most important thing to me."

Josep Maria Bartomeu takes over as the new president until 2016.