Joan Laporta takes a stand in the “Negreira case” – Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
Is the sporting rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid threatening to tip into a new era of hostility? Barça President Joan Laporta attacks the royals in the course of his statements on the Negreira case. The record champions replied immediately.
Has FC Barcelona influenced referees? This allegation stands. Under ex-boss Josep Maria Bartomeu, payments were made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, then vice-president of the Spanish Referee Committee. According to Barcelona for considerations such as referee assessments.
Joan Laporta, acting president of the Blaugrana, sees a smear campaign against his club and vehemently contradicts the allegations that Barça have bought advantages. “The ‘Negreira case’ is not a crime of sporting corruption. I commissioned the compliance experts and an external company to prepare a report. Now I have more information and can confirm that FC Barcelona never did anything with the aim or the intended to distort the competition in order to gain a sporting advantage”, said the lawyer and politician.
The payments are all documented and documented in the accounts. Everything was transparent. Barça had been prejudiced with great irresponsibility. “We live under the rule of law where there is a presumption of innocence, which was not the case with Barça, where we were publicly lynched without trial.”
Laporta attacks Real Madrid and league boss Tebas – Photo: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com
Attack against LaLiga boss
Laporta, who had recently called for Javier Tebas’ resignation, shot the Primera Division boss again: “At this point I would like to mention the president of the league and ask him to stop this verbal incontinence, that of the organization he represents not good.” Tebas wants to slander Barça because the club has not accepted the league’s CVC deal and aims to create the Super League.
Attack on Real Madrid
In the course of his explanations, the 60-year-old attacks Real Madrid. The record champions initially held back in the Negreira case – probably also because they have common plans for the Super League – but then condemned Barça’s behavior and announced that they wanted to sue.
Laporta makes the archrival serious allegations. The record champion has historically always been preferred. Real Madrid was “the club of the regime” of dictator Franco: “For seven decades, the presidents of the referees have been ex-Madrid members, ex-players or ex-managers. For 70 years, they have been the ones who appoint the referees, the should speak rightly!”
The fact that Real Madrid now feel disadvantaged and want to sue is “unprecedented cynicism”. Barcelona’s legal department will “take legal action to defend the club’s honor”.
Real Madrid respond to allegations
Real Madrid responded promptly. President Florentino Perez did not address the attack personally, but Los Blancos posted a clear reaction in the form of a video that was played on Real Madrid TV and YouTube, among others.
In it, the Blancos show excerpts from Laporta’s speech – and react with a look into the past. The accusation: Barça benefited under Franco. “Who was the regime’s club? The Camp Nou was inaugurated by Franco’s Minister General, Jose Solis Ruiz,” the video says, among other things.
Barça also awarded Franco medals and made him an honorary member in 1965. Another accusation: Franco saved Barça from bankruptcy three times. Barça also won eight leagues and nine cups under the dictatorship, while it took Real Madrid 15 years to win the league.
Is there a “war” like ten years ago?
It remains to be seen how Laporta will respond to the allegations. One thing is already certain: the relationship between the two Spanish giants is worse than it has been for a long time. The last time the sporting rivalry got the upper hand was in the era of Jose Mourinho (2010 to 2013), there were constant poison arrows between the clubs. In 2011, The Special One made headlines with an eye prick attack on the then Barça assistant coach Tito Vilanova († 45).
The rift between Real Madrid and Barça created problems for the Spanish national team. Captains Xavi Hernandez and Iker Casillas had to intervene to prevent a split in the Furia Roja. Is a new long-term feud looming?
