Lawyer Oriol Giralt, spokesman for the group of club members, arrived at the club's offices on Friday to inform them that wheels were in motion for what is essentially a vote of no confidence due to what they see as the president's failings.

The news comes a day after Laporta announced that coach Frank Rijkaard would be replaced by Josep Guardiola at the end of the season following Barca's second successive campaign without silverware.

"The disappointment is total," said Giralt on his way into the Catalan club's offices.

"If in a few days they resign, perhaps history would not judge them badly.

"Moreover, it would be dignified.

"My appraisal is that, aside from titles, the management has been harmful."

The Barcelona club statute allows for a motion of censure to be officially put in place if 5 per cent of the club's members who qualify as electors - adults who have been members for over a year - sign a petition.

Giralt, who estimates he needs 7,000 signatures, will have 14 days in which to collect them once he receives a roll of official ballots which will allow him to prepare the petition proper.

If he succeeds the motion will pass to the next stage where, if it gets more than two thirds of the votes, Laporta would be forced to call an election in which he would not be able to run.