Negreira case: Laporta hits out at Barcelona ‘smear campaign’

Robin Bairner

• 17 Apr 2023 04:15 CDT
• 1 min read

Breaking

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit out at the Negreira case as being a “smear campaign” that is designed to sully the reputation of the club.

Barca are accused of having illegally paid €7.3 million to the former vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee, Jose Mara Enriquez Negreira.

UEFA is set to investigate the case, which could lead the club being banned from the Champions League.

Laporta has spoken out forcefully at a press conference addressing the situation.

“Barcelona fans have been suffering a smear campaign for two months that has nothing to do with reality,” he said.

“In our history we are a model of sporting integrity. We win thanks to effort and talent. When we do, we celebrate together, and when we lose, we don't look for excuses. We like to win. And we like to win by playing well, without refereeing help.

“We have detractors, sometimes out of jealousy, who now come back. No smear campaign will make Barca anything but a model in world football that will be loved all over the world.”

More to follow...