When the Clasico Gets Personal: Laporta Accuses Real Madrid of Hidden Interests in the Negreira Case

Background of the Negreira Case

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken issue with Real Madrid's position on the Negreira affair, insisting the long running dispute has strained the rivalry between the two clubs.

Around three years ago it emerged that Barcelona paid 8.4 million euros to Jose Maria Negreira, the former vice president of the referees committee, through his private company. The revelation reported by Cadena SER Catalunya left the case in the courts.

In remarks cited by Marca on Thursday, Laporta said that we were condemned before we were judged in the Negreira case, and there is always a reaction to what we do. We are Catalans, and we are used to that. We are Barcelona, and we are used to that.

He added that Barcelona is successful, which invites comments and reactions. Those who want to keep Barcelona under others control do not rest.

On his relationship with Florentino Perez and Real Madrid, Laporta stressed mutual respect. He recalled that they once shared interests in the Super League and that contact was stronger at that time.

Yet that communication stopped after the Negreira case surfaced. Madrid's explanations remain unclear to him, but he felt obliged to defend Barcelona's Super League ambitions.

He said every time the judge resists the case, officials offer radio or media statements that lack substance and do not prove anything.

There is a very hidden interest behind this, he argued, intended to prolong the proceedings to justify what their TV channel claims about judges bias toward Barcelona. Institutionally, the ties have worsened, though personal respect endures.

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