Florentino Perez’s press conference last week, when the Real Madrid president hit out at FC Barcelona and the Spanish referees has ruffled a lot of feathers in Spain.
The Real Madrid chief is already facing complaints from the Referees Union in Spain, while Barça themselves have claimed that they are considering legal actions.
Joan Laporta hits out
Now, the Catalans’ president-elect, Joan Laporta, has fired back at Real Madrid and Perez over his comments, stating that it is all a strategy to cover up for the team’s failure.
“Everything related to the Negreira case , which isn’t even a case, is false, and I think they’re doing it to create a smokescreen and divert attention from the fact that they haven’t won anything in two years,” Laporta stated (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona
Laporta lashed out at Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“They’re using Barça to cover up their failures. The club is still studying these statements to respond in the appropriate forum,” he added.
Further continuing his verbal attack on Real Madrid, Laporta highlighted how his Barcelona team had won five trophies in the last two seasons, saying:
“They’ve invested a lot and still haven’t won anything, while we keep winning. We’ve won two league titles in a row, two Super Cups, and a Copa del Rey.
“He’s turned on the fan of their misery, and we’re not going to allow it.”
Concluding, Laporta stated that if Real Madrid come at Barcelona, they will continue to respond in kind, saying:
“When they use Barça for their problems, we react, and we react forcefully.”
Arbeloa responds
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa was asked about Laporta’s statements during his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game against Athletic Club.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Arbeloa hit back at Laporta. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
In response, the Spanish tactician made it clear that he and the club do not pay attention to Laporta’s words and that they will continue to fight against the Negreira scandal.
“I don’t attach much importance to Laporta’s words; we’ve always been very clear about what we’ve discussed. He must be referring to the Negreira case… We’re still waiting for a resolution to such a serious case that has tarnished Spanish football,” he said.
“Many referees from that era are still around, and we still have the same feeling. These things aren’t normal. We have to keep denouncing it. A Real Madrid player is bleeding, and that referee gets the reward of officiating the Copa del Rey final.”