FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied any wrongdoing amid allegations of corruption aimed at influencing referees. Speaking at a press conference at the club’s Camp Nou stadium, Laporta rejected the accusations and claimed that FC Barcelona has never taken any actions with the intention of obtaining a sporting advantage in competitions.
Laporta emphasized that FC Barcelona is a club with strong values and that they prefer to win through fair play and merit. He called the allegations a “smear campaign” and reaffirmed that the club has never engaged in any activity to alter the results of a game or competition.
The accusations of corruption were made by Spanish prosecutors last month after payments of more than €7.3 million ($7.8 million) were uncovered going to a company owned by a former refereeing chief, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. The payments were made over a period of 17 years, but FC Barcelona maintains that they were for technical reports and advice related to refereeing.
Laporta noted that the agency looking into the matter found no evidence of wrongdoing and that Spain’s tax office stated in a letter to prosecutors that they were not able to prove that the payments made to Negreira’s companies influenced the referees or the outcome of any match. Laporta also stated that the payments were all “legal and documented” and that there was no crime of corruption.
The accusations of corruption are part of a larger case that involves Negreira and two of FC Barcelona’s former presidents, Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell. Laporta accused FC Barcelona’s rival team, Real Madrid, of being historically favored by refereeing and attacking FC Barcelona as part of the smear campaign.
In conclusion, FC Barcelona and Laporta deny any wrongdoing in the allegations of corruption aimed at influencing referees. Laporta emphasized that the club is built on strong values and prefers to win through fair play and merit. The allegations are part of a larger case involving Negreira and two former FC Barcelona presidents, and Laporta accuses Real Madrid of being historically favored by refereeing and attacking FC Barcelona as part of the smear campaign.
