Joan Laporta, responding to accusations of paying for referees’ reports, fires back at Real Madrid for 72 years of referee control
Steven Perez
Dailysports's expert
Joan Laporta delivered a scathing critique of those fueling the scandal over payments to former vice-president of the referees’ technical committee, José María Enríquez Negreira.
Details: Laporta once again emphasized that paying for referees’ reports was a standard practice and had nothing to do with bribing officials. According to Laporta, the uproar around Barcelona is a calculated campaign aimed at destabilizing the club to benefit its historic rivals.
During his address, Laporta launched a counterattack, highlighting the deep-rooted connection between the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Real Madrid.
“You’re concerned about Negreira preparing reports for us, but you’re not concerned that for 72 years, RFEF presidents were partners, former players, or employees of Real Madrid?” Laporta declared passionately.
With this rhetorical question, he hinted that the real conflict of interest in Spanish football has been ignored for decades in favor of the capital club.
Laporta is convinced that the current attacks are an attempt to divert attention from Real’s systemic influence over the country’s football authorities. He reminded everyone that the Catalan club has always been a “thorn in the side” of the establishment, and that the current scandal is just a convenient tool for exerting pressure.
Reminder: “Camp Nou” is ahead of “Santiago Bernabéu” in the race to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final.
