Barcelona President Dismisses Claims That He Pay Referees During Matches
Barcelona’s President Joan Laporta has claimed that an investigation into whether the club paid referee for preferential treatment is merely propaganda.
“This is one of the most ferocious attacks in our history. I am convinced that FC Barcelona has not committed any crime of sports-related corruption. I hope that sooner rather than later it is fully exonerate,” Laporta said.
Laporta accused La Liga president Javier Tebas of trying to damage Barcelona’s reputation stating that their opponents Real Madrid have always been favored in terms of refereeing decisions.
In the previous month’s ruling by court, Barcelona faced charges on corruption, breach of trust and false business records.
The prosecutor stated that Barcelona paid 8.4 million Euros to the former Vice President of Spain’s Referees’ Committee Jose Maria Enrquez Negreira.
He urges the fans to disregard the claims noting that the money was for consultancy work. He added that the club has a scheme of payment made between 2001 and 2018.
“I ask FC Barcelona supporters to be as united as ever in defence of our crest, our essence, and our ownership model, which is that of a club owned by all of its members. Some services were provided. They were documented. There were invoices, payments registered in the accounting books. There was no crime of corruption,” he added.
European football’s governing body UEfA has said it is also investigating the matter.
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