Monday, January 20, 2025, 12:21
Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has labeled the officiating in Saturday’s league clash as “disgraceful.” Hansi Flick’s squad was held to a 1-1 draw against Getafe at the Coliseum, and Laporta emphasized the “outrage” over the referee’s failure to award a penalty for Uche’s persistent holding of Jules Koundé. He drew parallels to a similar incident involving Real Madrid’s Rüdiger, which resulted in a penalty. However, neither the referee, Asturian Gónzalez fuertes, nor the VAR deemed the getafe incident worthy of intervention, sparking Laporta’s ire. Notably, Laporta has recently refrained from commenting on refereeing decisions.
Known for his media savvy and tendency to play the victim, Laporta made these remarks while exiting the courts in L’Hospitalet, Barcelona. He was there to testify in a fraud case linked to his role as a lawyer and advisor for a family that had won the Primitiva lottery but lost €4.7 million. While Laporta avoided discussing his legal troubles, he shifted focus to the contentious refereeing in Getafe. Earlier,he had released a statement denying the allegations,claiming the case had been dismissed and was reopened due to pressure from the accusers. He also accused the media of subjecting him to a “public lynching.”
According to El Periódico, the case revolves around a family that was offered a €2.4 million investment deal with a 6% annual interest rate after visiting a bank. The contract, effective from November 1, 2017, reportedly contained irregularities, including being drafted in English, lacking a clear signature, and featuring clauses detrimental to the family. Laporta’s involvement stems from his advisory role with CSSB Limited and his legal representation of the family. At the time, he had no ties to football.
Barcelona’s struggles at Getafe’s Coliseum are well-documented, with the club failing to secure a win there in six years. Last season, Xavi Hernández expressed frustration after the opening league match, stating, ”Winning this league will be extremely tough,” alluding to external challenges rather than the competition itself. This sentiment echoed throughout the season. As the current campaign progresses, Real Madrid leads the table with a seven-point advantage over Barcelona and a two-point lead over Atlético Madrid, fueling further debates and controversies.
