Laporta Drops a Bomb: Barça Returns to Frighten Madrid as Referees Seems to Befriend Them for Life

Key claims by Laporta

At a book launch in Andorra, Barcelona president Joan Laporta delivered a pointed critique of Real Madrid, arguing that referees consistently favor Madrid and implying an ongoing effort to topple Tebas from the Spanish league presidency. He suggested Madrid’s narrative buttons up with “Barça-phobia” and hinted that the white club’s arguments are an attempt to justify unclear points in the ongoing saga.

Laporta recalled Madrid’s public remarks, saying they reveal discomfort and a tendency to discuss Barça to justify matters that remain unclear. He argued that the league’s refereeing decisions are part of a broader strategy aimed at discrediting Barça, insisting that Barça never bought referees and that referees do not favor Barça in general—“they’ve favored Madrid for life,” he quipped with a wry smile.

Controversial moments and reactions

The Barça chief referenced two controversial goals from the previous round, claiming a handball by Bellingham and a clash involving Vinícius caused by an injury to Inaki Williams would have altered the table, potentially keeping Barça atop the league. He criticized the Madrid television channel for what he called persistent attempts to sway referees week after week, labeling such coverage as shameful while stressing that Barça did not rely on refereeing favors.

“There’s persecution mania against Barça’s golden era,” Laporta declared, arguing Madrid would love to erase Barça’s dominant years from 2004 to 2015. He asserted that Barça’s greatness was earned and that Madrid’s attempts to undermine it do not change the reality: Barca is back, and the fear is palpable.

The discussion extended to recent setbacks and injuries: Laporta spoke about Pedri’s return, and noted that Fermín would be sidelined for two weeks as a precaution, with Javi García also recovering and Rafainha likely to get more minutes. He reinforced that Barça remains competitive at the top of La Liga and hinted that a win against Alavés could propel them to the summit.

Regarding the club’s relations with La Liga leadership, Laporta criticized Real Madrid’s approach to Javier Tebas, calling for a fairer system and cautioning against power plays. He emphasized a belief in healthy competition and suggested that if Madrid’s strategy is to provoke, Barça would respond with resilience and unity—"we are a team. No single person owns victories or defeats."

In light of a tough European night against Chelsea, he praised the team’s spirit and insisted Barca’s culture of collective effort would drive future successes. He also defended Araújo after a red card, affirming his leadership and support for the squad as they navigate injuries and schedule pressures. The club’s finances were described as recovering, with Barça entering a phase of renewed optimism and a potential rise that could unsettle Madrid again. Punchline time—because even grand plans benefit from a little humor: if bias were a sport, Madrid would be world champions; and if referees kept a diary, it would be full of the pages Barça supposedly wrote for them. He finished by predicting a strong season ahead and a Barcelona resurgence that could redefine Spanish football.

What this means for the league

Laporta’s remarks frame Barça’s return to top form as a destabilizing force for Real Madrid and a test for La Liga’s governance. If Barça’s resurgence continues, the league could see a more balanced rivalry, with refereeing debates taking a backseat to on-pitch outcomes. The veteran rivalry is far from settled, and this latest exchange ensures the spotlight will stay on the decisions that shape the standings.

Punchline 2: If football had stand-up night, Barca’s comeback would outsell the stadium snacks—and yes, the referee jokes would still be on the house.