Laporta lashes out at Pérez, defends Barça amid Negreira and refereeing row

Joan Laporta used his institutional visit to Andorra to respond sharply to comments made last week by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez at the club’s assembly, accusing the rival club of an “obvious barcelonitis” and of trying to “stretch the Negreira case like chewing gum” despite knowing “there is nothing there.”

Speaking at the Estadi Comunal Joan Samarra, where he presided over the presentation of the restored Gol sculpture by Pilar Riberaygua, Laporta emphasised the long-standing ties between FC Barcelona and Andorra. He noted the traditional presence of players and supporters in the principality and highlighted the Penya Blaugrana del Principat, which will celebrate its 65th anniversary next year. The recovered sculpture, removed for years and brought back after research by writer Àlex Terés, was a symbol of that historic connection.

Turning to sporting matters, Laporta said he had spoken with Hansi Flick after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League and described the squad as “united and capable of reacting.” He called the result a potential turning point, noting similar recoveries in the club’s history. He also defended captain Ronald Araújo after his sending-off, calling the first yellow card “very harsh” and saying Araújo had been unfairly criticised: “He is our captain and gives everything; he must turn the page and knows the team is behind him.”

On Florentino Pérez’s statements — which included accusations that Barcelona had bought the vice-president of the CTA and a threat of legal action against UEFA — Laporta called them “completely out of play” and symptomatic of “barcelonitis.” He accused Real Madrid of prolonging the Negreira affair for its own interest despite knowing there is no substance to it.

Laporta also criticised what he described as a pattern of favourable refereeing towards Real Madrid and cited two controversial goals in the last league round against Elche — alleging a handball by Bellingham and a goal by Vinícius that left Barça goalkeeper Iñaki Peña with a nosebleed — arguing that without those goals Barcelona would be top of the table. He accused Real Madrid TV of attempting to influence refereeing decisions.

Going further, Laporta suggested Madrid’s attacks aim to “darken the most splendid era” of Barcelona’s recent history (2004–2015), asserting the club won on its own merits and rejecting what he called “excuses.” He said Real Madrid may fear a Barça resurgence as the club rebuilds with a young squad and improves its financial position.

On relations with LaLiga, Laporta described his dealings with president Javier Tebas as “normal and correct” and questioned what he called Real Madrid’s “obsession” with removing Tebas, saying that strategy did not inspire confidence. At European level, he stated Barcelona is working to act as a bridge between UEFA and the Super League, arguing that the sustainability of European football requires peace rather than constant confrontation.