Speaking during his inauguration as Barcelona president, Joan Laporta addressed the growing friction with Real Madrid. The dispute intensified after Florentino Pérez submitted a large dossier to UEFA related to the Negreira refereeing scandal, seeking severe sanctions against the Catalan club.
Key highlights
- Joan Laporta dismissed Real Madrid’s UEFA complaint over the Negreira case, calling it a “tantrum” and insisting it will not succeed.
- He accused Madrid of using the issue to distract from internal problems, including their structural transition and operational concerns at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- Laporta said Barcelona have provided evidence in legal proceedings, while claiming Real Madrid have failed to present anything concrete.
- Barcelona are awaiting UEFA’s response and may pursue a defamation case against Florentino Pérez, escalating tensions further.
Laporta dismisses Real Madrid complaint
According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta appeared entirely unbothered by the development, describing it as a desperate attempt to shift attention. Speaking to the media at the Spotify Camp Nou, Laporta said: "They will not get away with it. We know what UEFA thinks about this issue, regarding all of this, and they will not get away with it. It is just another tantrum from them, trying to stretch this issue out to justify actions that make no sense and will not prosper."
Distracting from internal club issues
The Barcelona president believes Real Madrid are using the legal battle as a diversion from their own internal challenges. Pérez recently sparked controversy by claiming that 14 league titles had been “stolen,” but Laporta countered by suggesting Madrid’s leadership is struggling with structural changes, including their move toward becoming a public limited company.
He also mocked issues at the Santiago Bernabéu, arguing that the UEFA complaint is being used as a smokescreen.
Laporta added: "It has gone well for them to make a fuss and divert attention from other issues: that preoccupation they have with transforming into a public limited company, and other issues that are not quite working out well for them, like there will be no music and they do not know where they will have to park."
Barca chief demands proof
Relations between Spain’s two biggest clubs remain extremely strained, with Pérez previously stating that the relationship is completely broken. While Real Madrid are preparing a 500-page submission to European football’s governing body, Laporta insisted the legal process tells a different story.
He stressed that no evidence has been presented against Barcelona, while affirming that his club has fully supported its case. Barcelona have also warned they could take legal action if Pérez does not withdraw his allegations of corruption.
Laporta explained: "They are in the ordinary courts and we have been dealing with this issue for a long time. In this matter, we have provided the evidence in the procedure. The opposing parties have not provided anything."
What next for the Clasico rivals?
Barcelona are now waiting for UEFA’s response to the documentation submitted by Real Madrid. At the same time, Laporta and his legal team are prepared to pursue a criminal defamation case if Pérez refuses to retract his statements.
The ongoing dispute shows no sign of easing, with the rivalry increasingly shifting off the pitch and into legal and institutional battles that are set to define the coming season between Spain’s two biggest clubs.
