Josep Pons sacked as club president

Troubled Primera Division side Real Mallorca have taken the decision to dismiss club president Josep Pons after the former Spanish ambassador was accused on sexual harassment charges. Pons was only appointed club president at the end of last season, when Llorenç Serra Ferrer took over ownership of the entity as they plunged into administration.

The case against Pons derives from his period working in the Spanish embassy in Austria, and an employee has failed an official complaint. The board of directors convened yesterday to establish the most suitable course of action and selected to dismiss the diplomat and promote vice-president Jaume Cladera into his position.

Efe reported yesterday that Pons, in a hastily-organised press conference in Palma, protested his innocence and refuted claims that there had been any allegations made against him, saying: “There is no procedure in place in either the Spanish or Austrian courts, nor is there any indictment against me, and I want to put an end to this situation and insist on my innocence.

“I want to regain my place in Mallorca and continue to work for the club. My colleagues at the club knew that I was going to call this media conference to clarify what happened and that is what I’m doing.”

Despite Pons’ protests, the club still decided to remove him for his post. Following his dismissal, Pons stated that he was “disappointed with the decision made by the club to remove my duties as President. The Board of Directors do not see it fit that I come out and protest my innocence”.

original article by Goal.com, further reporting by realmallorca.co.uk