President Rosell's interview with Al Jazeera Sports News attracts global audience

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News of the interview surpassed Catalonia and Spain’s borders, as Arab, American, French, Dutch, Argentinian, German, Turkish and Portuguese news outlets also covered Al Jazeera Sports News’ broadcast.

More than 100 digital news outlets covered the President's interview

“it’s very important because interviews like this go beyond the Club’s latest news, it’s helps the Club define it’s values to a passionate audience,” explained Lakhdar, head of the Al Jazeera office in Spain

Sandro Rosell’s interview this past Monday with Al Jazeera Sports News was seen globally by over 40 million viewers. The interview was broadcast to the Middle East and North Africa, while Esport3 Catalonia Television and the Club’s online simulcast made the interview available in Catalonia and Spain.

Rosell’s interview was on the front page of all the Catalan daily newspapers, Mundo Deportivo, Sport and El 9. In addition, the digital versions of the dailies covered the interview in depth, while Catalan television and radio stations also covered President Rosell’s interview in Qatar. The news spread beyond Catalonia, however, over 100 reports were made by digital news sources in Spain as well.

News of the interview surpassed Catalonia and Spain’s borders, as Arab, American, French, Dutch, Argentinian, German, Turkish and Portuguese news outlets also covered Al Jazeera Sports News’ broadcast.

“A significant interview”

Lakhdar Berriche is responsible for Al Jazeera’s office in Spain, he's also the face of the channel’s sports section. As the man responsible for the majority of football broadcasts, he’s well acquainted the evolving perceptions the Middle East has of FC Barcelona. Lakhdar highlighted the importance of Rosell’s interview with an Arab news channel, saying “it’s very important because interviews like this go beyond the Club’s latest news, it’s helps the Club define it’s values to a passionate audience.”

The Al Jazeera boss in Spain estimates that Barça’s following in countries that Al Jazeera Sports News broadcasts to is well above 50 million people. “Our football viewership is close to 150 million people, I would venture to say that close to one third of our viewers either identify themselves as big Barça fans or they have some kind of affinity towards the Club. It’s a strong indicator of the potential that the Club has in this region,” explained Lakhdar.

International coverage

An estimated 100 digital reports of Sandro Rosell’s interview with Al Jazeera were made within the Spanish state.

Just like with the inauguration of the New Masía - Centro de Formación Oriol Tort, the interview was broadcast by FC Barcelona official communication channels and Esport3.

Here is a list of international news stories covering Sandro Rosell’s interview with Al Jazeera Sports News: