Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched a scathing attack on Real Madrid, accusing the club of trying to damage Barcelona's reputation in the ongoing Negreira case. Laporta expressed confidence that Barcelona will be cleared in the judicial proceedings concerning payments made to former Spanish refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira. He claimed that Real Madrid is trying to divert attention from their own issues by prolonging the investigation.
Laporta's comments come after UEFA confirmed that it had received documentation from Real Madrid related to the Negreira case. However, Barcelona clarified that UEFA had not opened a new investigation, saying proceedings launched in 2023 had never been closed. The new material will simply be assessed by UEFA's existing ethics and disciplinary investigators. Real Madrid has pushed for UEFA to examine the case and determine whether disciplinary action against Barcelona is warranted.
Laporta also criticized Real Madrid's absence from meetings involving European football organizations, arguing that this demonstrates a loss of influence. He described Real Madrid's stance as arrogant and overbearing, saying they should reflect on themselves. In contrast, Barcelona has sought to rebuild its relationships with UEFA and European Football Clubs, with Laporta attending the EFC assembly in Copenhagen and holding meetings with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin and EFC President Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
The Negreira case remains a major source of tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid, with relations between the two clubs deteriorating significantly since Madrid formally became involved in the proceedings. Laporta maintained that accusations against Barcelona had not been proven and predicted that the case would end with the Catalan club being acquitted. He accused Real Madrid of trying to condemn Barcelona before they were even judged.
Laporta's latest comments are part of an ongoing feud between the two clubs. He argued that Real Madrid's current institutional approach has cost it prestige and credibility at national, regional, and international levels. Barcelona, on the other hand, is seeking to strengthen its ties with European football organizations. The Spanish criminal proceedings in the Negreira case also remain unresolved, with no final judicial ruling establishing that Barcelona manipulated refereeing decisions or match results.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has not publicly responded to Laporta's comments. However, the club has continued to push for UEFA to take action against Barcelona. The Negreira case has been ongoing for several years, with Barcelona facing accusations of making improper payments to Negreira, a former Spanish refereeing official. The case has sparked a heated debate about the integrity of Spanish football.
The feud between Barcelona and Real Madrid shows no signs of abating, with both clubs dug in over the Negreira case. Laporta's comments are likely to further inflame tensions between the two clubs. The case will continue to be closely watched by football fans and observers, who are eager to see how it will ultimately be resolved.
Key points
- Barcelona president Joan Laporta accuses Real Madrid of damaging his club's reputation in Negreira case
- Laporta criticizes Real Madrid's absence from European football meetings
- The Negreira case remains a major source of tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid
