From time to time, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has to address media over some club’s issues. He usually waits until there are many topics to address, and at Camp Nou, there are always some topics to address. Today it was no different, and Laporta had to reply to questions about bribing referees, the Super League, the Xavi and Busquets contracts and of course, about Lionel Messi.Joan Laporta: “We are exceeding the salary limit by €300m, but La Liga allowed that to happen with the previous board. The truth is that now they’re doing everything to stop us from making signings.” pic.twitter.com/gojO9Xhgwb— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 7, 2023 The most ‘burning question’ is surely the Negreida scandal. Spanish Tax Administration is investigating the case regarding some 6.5 million euros euros which was paid by Barcelona to the former Vice President of the Judges Commission, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, or to be precise, to the company owned by the former referee. Laporta, as expected, denied the accusations.”Let it be clear Barca have never bought referees and Barca have never had the intention of buying referees, absolutely never. The forcefulness of the facts contradicts those who try to change the story. We are doing well again — nothing is chance. Barca has not dedicated itself to buying referees. Barca will not be harmed. I don’t know the vice president of the CTA. I knew Negreira a little” said the Catalans president in a public event in Barcelona.A new scandal in Barcelona: four presidents were bribing the referee?Laporta also insisted that a campaign against his club is in full motion, mainly because they didn’t follow La Liga’s business deals and because they still support the Super League. He also criticized La Liga president Javier Tebas, who often speaks about Barcelona in public.”There is a campaign to damage Barca’s interests. It is a campaign aimed at controlling the club. La Liga has not accepted that Barca did not sign with CVC, which forced us to sell the television rights for 50 years. We found better solutions. We started to go well, we have saved the club financially and we cannot continue with the levers. What I am seeing is that there is only negative news and articles that I am not going to talk about. They want to scare us financially to end up being a Public Limited Company. I see attempts. President Tebas releases comments that must form part of the confidentiality between clubs. In the past he has also had performances with a certain obsession against Barca. I hope that the relationship between Barca and La Liga improves” criticized Laporta.A man with a winning mentality: Xavi’s numbers after 50 league games better than Guardiola’sThe Catalans president also said he is considering a contract extension proposal to coach Xavi Hernandez, since his deal expires in June 2024.”He’s a man who doesn’t stretch his arm out beyond his sleeve, he doesn’t ask for crazy things and he understands the club’s (financial) situation, I have considered Xavi’s renewal. I have already considered it, even if La Liga doesn’t win. I’ve told Xavi, but he insists that if we don’t win… But I want to give him a message of calm. We have to renew him because he played it, he knows the house and defends the genuine style of Barca. Busquets is out of contract and he is a fundamental person in the dressing room. Xavi wants him to continue and he is thinking about what to do” said Laporta.The war of words in Spanish football is relentlessOf course, the Lionel Messi question is always there, especially since his contract with PSG is up in June and so far, a new contract hasn’t been signed. Laporta again had to defend his decision to let Messi go, as the club was in a difficult financial situation.”We have seen each other. I congratulated him for Argentina. We are talking about the tribute to Leo, who has extraordinary affection for Barca. I do not want to speak out of respect for the player, who is playing in the PSG. Leo ‘s thing isn’t about money, we’re talking about a tribute” explained Laporta.##NAJAVA_MECA_7079889##
