It is a rivalry that goes far beyond football. Over the decades, it has taken on a political, social and cultural dimension. If FC Barcelona and the real Madrid have sometimes buried the hatchet to fight common battles, like the Super League, the animosity between the two Spanish giants has taken over again in recent months.
The cause: the Negreiga affair – a reference to the name of the former head of refereeing José Maria Enriquez Negreira – which brought FC Barcelona and its officials before the courts after the suspicions of corruption of which the Catalan club was the object.
Laporta’s strong words
Joan Laporta had a hard time digesting this affair. Especially since Real Madrid would have benefited from the suspect decisions in the race for the Spanish championship title last season, in his eyes. During a press briefing organized this week, the Barça president let loose on Real.
” Relations between us and Madrid are very bad. The way they have used the Negreira case against us is unacceptable. Let them do what they want and we will do what we want. ” thundered Laporta, very angry with the rival club. Florentino Perez’s response is awaited.
