FC Barcelona is facing a decisive game that can finally bring the club very close to a big title. But in the hours before the “Clásico” against arch-rivals Real Madrid, there is again trouble off the field.
FC Barcelona can take a big step at the weekend to finally make positive headlines again: The proud club, which has been chasing its own great claims in recent years, is clearly leading the Spanish league – and will welcome pursuers and archrival Real on Sunday Madrid to the “Clásico”. A victory for FC Barcelona would probably be the preliminary decision in the title race.
But FC Barcelona has not only been fighting such massive financial problems for years that he even had to send away the club’s saint Lionel Messi in tears, but is now also the focus of an investigation: the public prosecutor’s office accused the club of many years of influence over many millions to have taken referee decisions. Club President Joan Laporta has now turned to the fans on this matter – and vaguely indicates a conspiracy against his club.
“The campaign we are suffering is not accidental and aims to destabilize the team in the short term, while its goal is to control and take over Barcelona in the medium term,” says Laporta in a video message shared through the club’s channels was spread. And reports of a group of conspirators who were behind the events. “I will explain to you at a later date who, why and how they intend to stage this campaign.” You will not only defend yourself in this matter, but: “We will attack!”
Close relationship with referee official
In mid-February, the radio station “Cadena Ser” revealed that the Spanish judicial authorities had initiated investigations into suspected “corruption between private individuals” months ago. The reason: Between 2001 and 2018, Barça is said to have transferred almost seven million euros for so-called consulting services to a company owned by the then Vice President of the CTA Referee Committee, José María Enríquez Negreira.
These statements follow those of Javier Tebas, La Liga president: “I don’t think Barcelona bought referees (…) But there are payments to Negreira for 20 years. Let’s imagine that these facts are on sporting ways are not statute-barred yet. It gives the impression that they want to influence the referees,” said Javier Tebas. “I’m not saying they bought referees, but they paid the vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees. That would be serious behavior in sport and in European competitions there is no statute of limitations. UEFA can intervene,” added the LaLiga president added.
Both sides – FC Barcelona and referee official Negreira – have admitted the business connections, but deny the allegation of corruption. According to Negreira, his company verbally advised the club on how players should behave towards certain referees. Barça described such advisory services as “normal”.
Til Erdenberger