The Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, spoke about the ongoing Negreira case in a detailed interview on Catalunya Radio, insisting that the matter will be archived and that the campaign to undermine Barcelona is organized but ultimately ineffective. His comment came the day after he faced fresh accusations connected to the same case.
Laporta conveyed a calm confidence, stressing that he is fortified by solid arguments to defend the club. He urged that the Negreira case can be treated like many investigations managed by the same judge, which have ultimately been closed without further consequence. He pressed that no bribery exists and that there is no pattern of bribery or ongoing wrongdoing to prove, reaffirming his firm stance on the issue.
He argued that the judge’s ruling rests on unsubstantiated grounds and noted that the defense had warned of possible indictments. While acknowledging the possibility, Laporta remained resolute, asserting that the club did nothing improper and that the prosecution’s own framework acknowledges sports governance concerns without establishing a case of bribery or match-fixing. He also pointed out that the club presented extensive documentation, including 629 reports across 42 compact discs, suggesting that services were rendered for legitimate, recorded payments. He warned that any attempt to prove referee bribery or match manipulation would fail because those accusations do not reflect reality. He anticipated an acquittal based on the evidence presented.
‘In Madrid they are terrified that we will beat them again’
Laporta added that there is a concerted effort to discredit Barcelona by leveraging the Negreira case. He described a strong sociological Madridismo within the political and sports power centers of the capital, a force he has confronted and believes he has weakened. He suggested that those in control fear a return to the era he believes was the strongest period in Barça’s history, which he insists could be repeated if the team maintains its trajectory.
When reflecting on broad opinions, Laporta said he does not worry about personal forgiveness. He suggested that the majority of influential people in sports in Spain come from Madrid, and although this creates a challenging landscape, Barcelona has managed to overcome it. He argued that some elites are fighting to retain their status rather than to win broad affection for Barça, and they attempt to tarnish the club’s reputation to destabilize it.
In a further note, Laporta described his relationship with Florentino Pérez as cordial and respectful at the institutional level. He did not rule out the possibility of Pérez attending future matches, expressing a simple wish that he would choose to be present if circumstances allow. The conversation underscored a complex dynamic in which Barcelona aims to project strength while facing persistent political and media scrutiny within the domestic football ecosystem.
Source: Goal