The referring scandal involving FC Barcelona took a new twist on Wednesday when Joan Laporta was dealt with charges of suspected bribery.
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta remains unfazed despite personally facing suspected bribery charges in the refereeing scandal.
The investigation into payments Barcelona made to companies linked to the former vice president of the refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, took a new twist on Wednesday.
The investigating judge extended the probe to include payments made between 2003 and 2010. This was during Laporta’s first term as Barca president.
Yet, the 61-year-old maintains that there is no crime of bribery, and he is confident that the charges will not prevail.
“Our defense team warned us this could happen,” Laporta stated in an interview with Catalunya Radio.
“But as there is no crime of bribery, it cannot prosper.”
Madrid favoritism behind the ‘Negreira case’
Furthermore, Laporta argued that societal bias against Barcelona, especially from Real Madrid circles, is behind these charges. Their alleged intent is to harm the club’s reputation.
“There is socially ingrained Madrid favoritism in circles of power that is very strong,” he added.
“It has taken advantage of the Negreira case to sully the name of Barca.
“It exists and is protected in certain media, certain political circles, and in certain sections of sport.”
As for the team itself, a home game against Athletic Club is next on the agenda. The match will take place on Sunday in LaLiga. Barcelona arrive in third place in the standings. They sit three points behind leaders Real Madrid, having tallied 21 points in nine fixtures.
🔴 @JoanLaportaFCB, president del Barça, a #MatíCatRàdio: "Coneixent l'històric del jutge del cas Negreira, estàvem advertits, però no hi ha fonaments per a la imputació perquè el delicte no és continuat"https://t.co/QrmQIy0nan pic.twitter.com/WST5BIhYlf
— Catalunya Ràdio (@CatalunyaRadio) October 19, 2023
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