The photo of Joan Laporta in Qatar explained

The photograph of Joan Laporta embracing (it seems) a Qatari sheikh has spread like wildfire on Twitter. He was quickly reminded of what Laporta thought a few years ago about Qatar and the agreement of Rosell's Barça to wear advertising for that country's foundation on the shirt instead of UNICEF. Qatar was then an Islamic dictatorship, Rosell's project was one of money and the one Laporta had in mind was one of values.

FC Barcelona have been quick to say that Laporta's trip to Qatar, together with the directors Xavi Puig and Joan Soler, was of a personal nature. And so it was, although with nuances. Joan Soler has opened a line of business in the food sector with Qatar and all the management is handled by Laporta's office, of which Xavi Puig is a partner.

We'll see if any proposal for future collaboration with FC Barcelona comes out of that visit, but knowing what Laporta and some of his directors think of Qatar, we should rule it out, right? Another thing --  a businessman from that country has already been in the presidential box...