Referee affair: “Were publicly lynched” – FC Barcelona shoots against Real & league boss

FC Barcelona presents the results of an investigation into the alleged referee scandal. President Joan Lapora is more than clear and once again shoots against league boss Javier Tebas and Real Madrid.

FC Barcelona has once again vehemently defended itself against the alleged referee scandal.

On Monday, President Joan Laporta presented a report from internal compliance experts and an outside law firm. This refers to the allegations of corruption that the Spanish public prosecutor’s office and UEFA are investigating.

“According to the available evidence, no criminal activity related to sports corruption has been identified, nor is there any reason to investigate any form of criminal activity related to bribery,” reads the report that FC Barcelona submitted to the shared on social networks.

Laporta also sworn ties to ex-referee Enriquez Negreira once again. “Advice on technical refereeing issues does not constitute an illegal act. The advice – as practiced by all major clubs – was carried out transparently, with the corresponding invoices, at least in my first term as president,” the 60-year-old clarified.

The tax authority could not prove that the payments had influenced sporting results, Laporta continued: “They could not prove it because it was not possible.” The invoices for the payments made are documented in detail by transfers and in the club’s accounting documented.

FC Barcelona is the injured party if a person or a private company has acted on their own responsibility and these allegations are then correct. “The club would be the first to conduct a full investigation. Our image is at stake,” said Laporta.

He also renewed the allegation of a smear campaign against the Catalan club: “No campaign designed to discredit us will prevent us from continuing to be a model organization in the world of sport, recognized by millions of Catalans and millions more loved and admired all over the world.”

In its 123-year history, FC Barcelona has always been “a role model for fairness”. “If we’ve won for so many decades, then without a doubt it was the result of effort, talent and knowledge,” said Laporta.

The president also pointed out the presumption of innocence, “which Barca did not have in this case”. In this regard, Laporta once again publicly attacked La Liga boss Javier Tebas: “I want to point the finger at the president of the LFP. He behaved irresponsibly, unwisely and with an apparent lack of responsibility. He should stop this verbal incontinence.”

In addition, Barcelona are repeatedly disadvantaged, especially in comparison with Real Madrid. “Everyone knows that Real Madrid is a club historically favored by refereeing mistakes, the club of the regime (during the Franco dictatorship, editor’s note)“, Polter Laporta.

“For the last seven decades, those responsible for committees have been former partners or directors of Real Madrid.” That the Madrilenians took part in the trial against Barcelona was “unprecedented cynicism”.

Finally, Laporta explained that the club reserves the right to sue for damages: “The compensation can be astronomical. We were publicly lynched. Let justice prevail.”

Barcelona have already taken legal action against several media outlets for allegedly biased coverage of the club.

In addition, the club had demanded the resignation of Tebas, as he is said to have presented false evidence in the referee affair. Tebas denied these allegations.