Joan Laporta Accused By Multiple La Liga Clubs Over Negreira Case; Real Madrid Stay Quiet

With the La Liga Assembly taking place in Madrid today, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was present at the event amidst questions being asked of the club over the Negreira case.

The Barcelona supremo had already defended the club in a press conference earlier this week, clarifying again that the €7 million-odd payment made to Enriquez Negreira, over a period of 18 years, was for technical reports on referees and scout reports.

At the La Liga assembly, Helena Condis of COPE is reporting that Laporta once again defended Barcelona’s innocence. He stressed that the Catalans had not made the payments to influence matches or buy officials.

However, the journalist adds that several La Liga club representatives reproached the Barça president and demanded an explanation for the payments made to Negreira.

As quoted by SPORT, Miguel Angel Gil, the CEO of Atletico Madrid said: “It is a demand from all the clubs to La Liga to go all the way. It is not a matter for Tebas, it is a matter for La Liga and the majority of clubs.

Meanwhile, the representative from Sevilla said: “It is not something we all do, it is done by one, by you, and by several clubs. La Liga is not irresponsible, the irresponsibility lies with FC Barcelona. Because of your actions, we have a discredit at Spanish and European level”.

The tone of exchange between all parties involved is said to have been calm throughout. But the general feeling coming out is that most La Liga clubs were not convinced by Laporta’s explanations even though they understood what he was trying to convey.

Notably, though, Real Madrid were said to be silent through this and they did not say anything for or against Barcelona during the event, even though it appeared that the two clubs were set to go to war earlier this week.