Barcelona chief Laporta hits back at Real Madrid: ‘They want to harm football’

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has this weekend sent a fresh message of criticism the way of those in a position of power at arch rivals Real Madrid.

This of course comes fresh tensions between those behind the scenes at Spanish football’s two biggest clubs, over the infamous ‘Negreira Case’.

Last week, Real Madrid breathed new life into the investigation regarding Barcelona’s long-term payments to former vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee, José María Enriquez Negreira.

This came courtesy of the passing of an alleged 50,000-page document, containing what they consider to be new evidence against the Blaugrana, to UEFA.

Speaking during an ensuing appearance in front of the media this weekend, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of the recent actions of counterpart Florentino Pérez and his team was put to the aforementioned Joan Laporta.

And Barcelona’s president, as cited by Fabrizio Romano, made use of the opportunity to accuse Real Madrid of ‘wanting to harm football’ as a whole:

“Real Madrid have accused us in a crushing and constant way, trying to discredit and damage the image of Barça.

“But they will have to rectify, no matter how much they extend the summary to keep the flame alive. They try to discredit Barça, but I don’t think they do it in an innocent way, but they want to harm football.”

Conor Laird – GSFN