The historic rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona has exploded once more after Madrid president Florentino Perez used his latest Assembly speech to revive the Negreira controversy. Below you will see information about is news which has been summarized The Football Insight.
Perez questioned Barcelona’s integrity by linking their past success to alleged payments made to former refereeing vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. His comments immediately sparked a new storm between the clubs.
Perez presented statistics and disciplinary figures to suggest that Barcelona benefited unfairly between 2001 and 2018, claiming they paid more than €8 million during that period. He insisted the arrangement was “not normal” and heavily implied corruption, even pointing to referee promotion responsibilities held by Negreira.
Perez framed this era as suspiciously aligned with Barcelona’s most successful years. This public attack only amplified existing tensions. With the La Liga title race intensifying, the timing of Perez’s accusations injected added hostility at a moment when both clubs are under immense pressure on and off the pitch.
Laporta Strikes Back and Accuses Madrid of an ‘Obsession’
Barcelona president Joan Laporta responded swiftly and fiercely to Perez’s statements. Speaking during a visit to Andorra, Laporta accused Madrid of being “obsessed” with Barcelona and using the Negreira case to tarnish their image. He dismissed the allegations as baseless, insisting Barcelona “never bribed referees.”
Laporta went further, claiming referees have historically favored Madrid, not Barcelona. He argued that Madrid is prolonging legal proceedings because they know the case will not result in wrongdoing. His message painted Barcelona as the target of a long-running smear campaign designed to rewrite history.
He also accused Madrid of actively influencing public opinion through their club-owned television channel. According to Laporta, Real Madrid TV attempts to pressure referees every week by analysing and criticizing decisions before and after games.
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Clashing Claims Over Referees and Recent Controversies
To support his stance, Laporta pointed to recent refereeing incidents involving Madrid. He referenced their 2–2 draw at Elche, arguing that Jude Bellingham handled the ball in the buildup to one goal, while Vinicius Jr. committed a foul that left goalkeeper Inaki Peña injured on another. Laporta insisted both goals should have been disallowed.
He suggested that these decisions, if corrected, would have put Barcelona at the top of the table. This claim reflects the broader frustration within the club, which sees Madrid as consistently benefitting from favorable refereeing outcomes. Laporta argued that Madrid’s accusations are motivated by jealousy, especially of Barcelona’s golden era from 2004 to 2015.
According to Laporta, Barcelona’s admired football and global influence during that period created resentment that still lingers today. He believes Madrid’s continued attacks stem from an inability to accept how dominant Barcelona once were.
A Rivalry Reignited Beyond the Pitch
The renewed conflict adds another chapter to a rivalry already strained by Super League disagreements, legal disputes and refereeing debates. Both presidents are determined to control the narrative as the Negreira case remains under public scrutiny. Barcelona maintains that their legacy is intact, while Real Madrid insists accountability is necessary.
With the La Liga race heating up and both clubs preparing for major domestic and European fixtures, these political battles are set to run alongside the on-field drama. Each statement from either president now carries the potential to escalate tensions further.
Laporta ended his response by claiming Barcelona will not be intimidated. In his view, Madrid’s fixation only proves how important Barcelona remain. As the rivalry deepens, the war of words between the two giants looks far from over. Follow footballcoasters.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest story.