Barcelona president Joan Laporta insists ‘they have proof they did NOT bribe ex-Spanish referees’ chief Jose Enriquez Negreira – and claims Real Madrid fans are using it against them in the media, politics and in sport’
- Joan Laporta insists Barcelona have not committed any wrongdoing
- The club president stressed Barcelona ‘did not bribe ex-officials’
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied any wrongdoing over ‘suspected bribery’ in relation to alleged payments being made to a refereeing official.
The 61-year-old also criticised Real Madrid supporters for trying to benefit from Barcelona’s ongoing situation and explained the charges against him cannot be proved.
Spanish prosecutors first filed their complaint over alleged payments in March with it being alleged Barcelona made numerous payments to former vice-president of the Spanish football federation’s refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
The suspected payments made to firms owned by Negreira total over £6.3m and spanned during a 17-year duration between 1993 and 2008.
Laporta was president at the Nou Camp for his first spell at the club between 2003 and 2010 before returning to the club’s helm two-years ago with Barcelona in the midst of a financial crisis.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied any wrongdoing over suspected bribery
Laporta accused Real Madrid supporters of trying to take advantage of Barcelona’s situation
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Judge Joaquin Aguirre Lopez has put the club under formal investigation for suspected ‘active bribery’ and named Laporta as one of the suspects involved.
However, he has denied any involvement after breaking his silence in an interview with Catalunya Radio.
‘There is no bribery because Enríquez Negreira is not a public official and there is no continuing crime,’ stated Laporta.
‘I can document all the payments for my epic, which were also audited. From a factual point of view we have demonstrated it, and from a legal point of view we are demonstrating it.
‘The party accusing Barcelona of bribery or corruption cannot prove it. The verdict will be in Barcelona’s favour.’
He then went on to claim there is a general consensus to ‘destabilise Barcelona’ with other clubs being ‘terrified’ of letting the Spanish giants win competitions.
If the bribery case is brought to trial then Barcelona could be kicked out of next season’s Champions League and potentially lose funding for £1.2bn Nou Camp renovation.
Laports has called for Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (pictured) to visit Barcelona
Barcelona are under investigation over ‘suspected bribery’ and named Perez as one of the suspects involved
Laporta further accused Real Madrid fans of ‘taking advantage’ of his club’s legal situation and called for the club’s president Florentino Perez to travel to Barcelona.
‘It’s a big challenge to fight, with sportsmanship, against sociological madridismo. We’re used to it. It’s in the media, in political sectors, in sports power… And we have to accept it as normal. But as Barça players we have to compete, and we won, against this. They’re terrified of a winning Barcelona, admired and loved.’
‘Real Madrid sociological fans have taken advantage of the Negreira case. They want to control Barcelona, and some even want to take it over. It’s an issue to always keep in mind.’
‘My relationship with Florentino Perez is correct and I would like him to come to Barcelona.’
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