Barcelona president Joan Laporta has again made himself the centre of attention by discussing Real Madrid‘s controversial win over Almeria.
Los Blancos beat LaLiga’s bottom team 3-2 in a comeback win, but three goals were re-refereed in favour of Madrid.
Almeria fumed as soon as the full-time whistle blew, and so did Barca, with defender Inigo Martinez mocking the result on social media. At the same time, Xavi said ‘It will be difficult to win this league’ in response.
Laporta has gone far further, though, in comments to Mundo Deportivo that will likely go down badly in the capital.
He began: “These situations are worrying us a lot and if this continues, it will be very difficult for us to achieve our objectives.
“Our coach Xavi already said it. In the squad, the players are doing a very good job, overcoming a series of obstacles.
“But of course, the competition cannot be adulterated any further with decisions like those made last Sunday at the Bernabéu.”
Asked if he really thinks LaLiga is being ‘adulterated’ Laporta replied: “With these results yes, because it’s not just this Sunday.
“We have been analyzing the issue and there are already a series of points that our rival has achieved by benefiting from referee decisions. Now, I also have to say we are used to this, huh?
“We have always fought against the elements, we know what they are. But this time they were being too obvious and that’s why we formally complained to the Federation.
“Furthermore, above all I am concerned about the morale of our players, because at the end of the Benito Villamarín game, where we played a good game and we are proud of how it went because goals were scored, I saw the players worried about what happened at the Bernabéu. And of course, as a club, we have to take action on the matter.”
Asked about his conversations with the Spanish refereeing association, Laporta was also questioned about unnecessary pressure from Real Madrid TV.
“Completely. This is what I have told the president of the Spanish Federation,” he said.
“The Technical Committee of Referees depends on the Spanish Federation. He has told me that what is past is past and that they plan to take action on the matter.
“He also told me that the referees do not feel pressured, he wanted to reassure me in this regard.”
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