Laporta criticizes Real Madrid: There are dark interests at play.

Joan Laporta erupts against Real Madrid: “There is a dark interest that threatens football”

The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, did not hold back in his criticism of rival Real Madrid, in a bombshell revelation that promises to further inflame the rivalry between the two giants of Spanish football. In exclusive statements, Laporta denounced a campaign orchestrated by the Merengues, particularly through their television channel, aimed at undermining Barcelona in the controversial Negreira case, calling into question the integrity of football and sports justice in Spain.

According to Laporta, the personal relationship between the two leaders – himself and Florentino Pérez – still maintains a “mutual respect,” but at an institutional level, tensions are “extremely high.” “When the European Super League was discussed, we had more contact, but that closeness has completely cooled after Real Madrid’s campaign in the Negreira case,” revealed the Barcelona president. “Every time the judge tries to dismiss the accusations, Real Madrid comes up with ‘conclusive’ evidence, like statements on the radio or in their media, which ultimately mean nothing. There is a very obscure interest at play. They want to prolong this process to justify the narrative of their television channel, which claims that the referees favor Barcelona. This has ruined our institutional relationship.”

The Negreira case has placed Barcelona under an unrelenting spotlight. It is a scandal involving payments totaling 7.3 million euros made by the club to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees, and his son. These payments, made between 2001 and 2018, were allegedly made to obtain reports on referees who officiated Catalans’ matches, raising serious suspicions about impartiality and transparency in Spanish football.

Laporta did not back down and directly accused Real Madrid of trying to “condemn Barcelona before it is even judged.” “We are Catalans and we are used to this. Real Madrid always looks for something negative in everything we do; they want to erase a part of Barcelona’s most glorious history. There is no basis for it. We look forward and do not waste time with these nonsense. Those who want to harm us never rest,” the president stated.

The Barcelona leader also took the opportunity to comment on the muscle injury suffered by Brazilian international Raphinha during the friendly match between France and Brazil in the United States. Laporta expressed his outrage at FIFA’s lack of consideration regarding international calendars, which place clubs in a position of enormous vulnerability. “Having one of our best players injured in a friendly match is outrageous. You cannot pass the responsibility onto the player, who is a professional who dedicates himself fully to his country. FIFA should create an international calendar that takes into account the competitions of the most important clubs,” he emphasized.

Finally, Laporta revealed that he will maintain discussions with Barça coach Hansi Flick at the end of the season to discuss a possible contract renewal. “We will talk calmly at the end of the season. He is a very honest man with himself and an exemplary professional. I think he deserves the renewal, but he prefers to analyze the situation at the end of the season and decide what we should do,” he concluded.

This verbal confrontation between Laporta and Florentino Pérez promises to further shake up Spanish football, fueling a rivalry that transcends the pitch and occupies the center of media attention. Barcelona responds firmly to the accusations and vows to fight until the end to defend its honor, while Real Madrid maintains its stance and the media pressure shows no signs of easing. Spanish football is about to experience decisive moments where justice, truth, and power will be at stake.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.