Enrique Piñeyro Queralt

Enrique Piñeyro Queralt, also referred to as Enric Piñeyro or the Marqués de la Mesa de Asta, was a Spanish aristocrat and president of FC Barcelona between 1940 and 1943. Piñeyro, allegedly, knew next to nothing about the sport and had apparently never even seen a game of football before his term as Barça president. A close friend of General José Moscardó, he had been a serving officer on the side of the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War and was appointed club president on the basis of his loyalty to Francoist Spain. However, despite this, he was won over to the Barça cause and became the club’s principal defender during the early Francoist era. He resigned as club president following the controversial 1943 Copa del Generalísimo semi-final against Real Madrid. During the Piñeyro presidency, the club had to change its name and shield. In 1941 a decree banned the use of non–Spanish language names and the club had to change its name from the Anglised Football Club Barcelona to Club de Fútbol Barcelona. The Catalan flag was also banned, leading to its removal from the club shield. The club also formed a handball team, now known as FC Barcelona Handbol, as well as baseball, and cycling teams.