Joan Laporta addressed microphones from Radio Catalonia in a morning interview, following a moment of legal scrutiny tied to the Negreira case. The Barcelona president spoke ahead of the upcoming committees gathering on Saturday, aiming to temper the tension surrounding the judge’s accusation surrounding alleged bribery. He argued that the ruling held limited impact on the club’s broader trajectory and criticized the judge for framing the facts in a way that suggested a broader conspiracy. He also accused certain observers of pushing what he called a “sociological Madrid” influence and attempting to leverage the arbitration controversy for political gain within football circles.
“There is a noticeable sociological Madridism in the political center of the capital and in our sport,” he said. “This Barcelona has faced that pressure before, especially when it enjoyed success in the past. The club now stands at the helm of a record-breaking era, and I won’t apologize for defending the side I love. My focus remains on a strong season and on maintaining Barça’s prestige.” He added that he and the club would keep fighting against the perception that Madrid-centric narratives would overshadow their achievements, insisting that the best Barça in history deserves a fair shot on every front.
Laporta elaborated on his view of the media and political landscape around football. He described a climate where some media figures and powerful individuals in sports channels align with a Madrid-centered perspective, creating a persistent narrative that Barça must defend its name and its legacy. He argued that if harmful stories can undermine Barça, they threaten Catalonia’s distinct presence in football history. He asserted that the club would not stay quiet in the face of such narratives, emphasizing the need to stand strong against attempts to delegitimize Barça’s role and influence.
peace picture
On the legal front, Laporta sought to project calm and predictability. He claimed that the ongoing order from the judge carried no substantive basis, pointing to the judge’s background as part of the justification. The presiding judge, Joaquín Aguirre, had decided to indict the Barça president in the Negreira case, which involves payments totaling 7.3 million euros to the former vice president of the Referee Technical Committee, José María Enríquez Negreira, a matter that has extended over nearly two decades. The charges reportedly align him with the same categories of offenses linked to previous Barça presidents and club officials. The individual at the center is alleged to have faced bribery and corruption in sports, with additional allegations including improper management and forgery of business documents.
Laporta insisted that the club’s supporters could trust the process. He argued that two hypotheses had emerged: one, that payments for certain reports were made legitimately through the club’s financial channels; the other, that executives may have attempted to influence refereeing and match outcomes to Barça’s benefit. He stressed that the payments, recorded as bank transfers and subject to audits, were tied to documented services across a broad period. He urged a cautious interpretation of the events and expressed confidence that the matter would end in acquittal from a technical standpoint, noting the volume of records involved and the years covered. He acknowledged the possibility of ongoing scrutiny but asserted there was no proof of intent to manipulate results.
World Cup Semi-Final
During the conversation, Laporta revisited the idea of what he termed “sociological Madridism” and hinted at its use as a broader cultural reference within football. He proposed that Camp Nou could host a World Cup semi-final match, an ambition linked to a wider discussion about football’s global footprint. He asserted that hosting the semi-final would be a desirable outcome, while noting that the final’s destiny would likely be determined by Madrid’s football powerhouse. The remark underscored a desire to elevate the club’s international profile through major events at its stadium.
Regarding relations with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, Laporta described the ties as normal and respectful at an institutional level. He commented on a potential appearance at a forthcoming Clasico, suggesting that while nothing is certain, it would be welcome. He framed the Barça–Madrid rivalry as among the world’s most compelling sports showcases, arguing that the presence of senior leaders from both clubs could amplify the spectacle. The interview concluded with a note about the reluctance to join forces for a joint portrait with former Barça bosses Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, a request that had been explicitly declined.