Laporta Responds to Rival Accusations
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta launched a strong critique against arch-rivals Real Madrid during a visit to Andorra la Vella on Friday, November 28, 2025. Speaking at a book launch and other club events in the principality, Laporta accused Real Madrid of suffering from 'Barcelonitis' and being obsessed with FC Barcelona. His remarks came as a direct response to recent accusations made by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez at a club assembly, linking Barça's historical successes to payments in the ongoing 'Negreira Case'.
Allegations of Referee Favoritism and Influence
Laporta vehemently denied any wrongdoing by FC Barcelona in the 'Negreira Case', stating that Real Madrid is 'stretching out' the legal proceedings because 'there's nothing there' and that Barça has 'never bought referees'. Instead, he asserted that referees have historically favored Real Madrid. To support his claim, Laporta cited recent match incidents, specifically mentioning two goals in a recent game that he believed should have been disallowed:
- A goal involving Jude Bellingham, where Laporta suggested a handball.
- Another goal involving Vinicius Junior, where Laporta alleged a foul on goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
He contended that without these decisions, FC Barcelona would currently be leading the league. Furthermore, the Barça president criticized Real Madrid TV, accusing the club's television channel of attempting to influence referees on a weekly basis.
Concerns Over LaLiga Leadership and Historical Rivalry
The Barcelona president also expressed suspicion regarding Real Madrid's ongoing conflict with LaLiga president Javier Tebas. Laporta suggested that Real Madrid is 'obsessed' with removing Tebas from his position, a strategy he found concerning. He defended FC Barcelona's 'golden era' between 2004 and 2015, emphasizing that the club's success during this period was achieved through merit and footballing excellence, not external influence. This latest exchange underscores the intense and long-standing 'El Clásico' rivalry, which frequently extends beyond the pitch into club management and media narratives.
11 Comments
Leonardo
Finally someone says it! Referees ALWAYS favor Real, it's been happening for decades. Bellingham and Vinicius goals were clear examples.
Africa
Bellingham handball? Vinicius foul? That's just desperate. Every team has bad calls, don't blame the refs for your own performance.
Coccinella
Andorra? Really? This is just sour grapes because Real Madrid is leading the league. Focus on your own team.
ZmeeLove
Refs favor Real? This is rich coming from the club involved in the Negreira case. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Habibi
Accusations of 'Barcelonitis' or 'Madriditis' are common in El Clásico. It highlights how deeply ingrained the rivalry is, but also how difficult it is for either side to acknowledge the other's achievements without conspiracy theories.
lettlelenok
Laporta is absolutely right! Real Madrid is obsessed with us, always deflecting from their own issues.
dedus mopedus
Both sides have valid points about perceived referee bias, as it's a constant complaint in football. However, blaming specific decisions after the fact doesn't solve the underlying problem of inconsistent officiating.
Noir Black
Barcelonitis is real. They can't stand our success, especially during the golden era. Negreira is just a smokescreen.
KittyKat
Love Laporta calling out their hypocrisy. They accuse us but are the kings of influence. This needed to be said.
Loubianka
He's projecting. Real Madrid isn't obsessed with Barça, they're focused on winning. Laporta needs to look in the mirror.
BuggaBoom
It's true that Real Madrid TV can be biased, but Laporta's comments about refereeing also sound like a classic deflection from Barça's own issues, particularly with the Negreira case still unresolved.