speak at the meeting Pioneer Forum During an event on Thursday night, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke about the identity of Spain’s two biggest football clubs – Barcelona and Real Madrid – and the relationship between the two entities.
At this point, the institutional relationship between China and the United States has been established. Blaugrana and los blancos At an all-time low, especially after Florentino Pérez’s attack on the Catalans over the Negreira case.
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About Perez and Real Madrid
Laporta has pointed out how Real Madrid appear to be dealing with “Barcelonaitis” and talked about the differences in how the two entities operate.
“Real Madrid stands for power, Barcelona stands for freedom. I don’t know if the business transactions are done in the VIP seats at the Bernabeu. There is power involved. Here is another story; we are more concerned about democracy and freedom.” he said.
Regarding his relationship with Perez, he added: “We have a good and cordial relationship with Florentino Perez.”
Laporta was asked if Barca could follow Real Madrid’s path after Perez raised the option of selling 5% of the club at the last meeting. In response, he said:
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“At Barca we don’t even think about this. For four years I’ve been hearing that we were going to be a public limited company. We guarantee that Barca will always be owned by its members. This is the added value we have and it connects us to the community.
“Barcelona is not a business, it is an institution. We have different principles. We are a modern institution, committed to sustainability, equality and diversity. We are a Catalan institution, open to the world.”
Regarding his personal relationship with Perez, Laporta said: “Florentino is a man of sound judgment and good sense. I met a more belligerent Florentino during the last term. We had a major conflict over Eto’o.
“Florentino probably has more access to people in power, like we have in Catalonia. That doesn’t mean he is abusing his power. Lawyers know that things can be interpreted in many ways. Florentino will not do whatever he wants.”
Meanwhile, the Barcelona president was also asked what he thought of Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe, who has been in unstoppable form this season.
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“I like the players I have at Barca. Kylian Mbappe is a great player but I like the players we have. The new generation of players La Masia. I like these guys” Laporta commented.
“I like the combination of homegrown players with players like Lewandowski, Raphinha and Ferran. They have a team spirit. I don’t particularly admire the others.”
Chinese Super League Project
During the chat, the Barcelona president also confirmed that they have broken away from the UEFA Super League project led by Perez and have once again joined forces with UEFA and the ECA.
“We want peace and sustainable development in football. I approached the Chinese Super League and continued because I think it has many differences from state-owned clubs. It has been delayed and all this uncertainty does not help us.” Laporta pointed out.
Laporta with the presidents of UEFA and the European Club Association. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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He continued: “We improved our relationship with the ECA and UEFA. We had a preliminary agreement with the Unify platform, but then I found out that Real Madrid had withdrawn.
“We should always give peace a chance. It would be better if we were all involved. Conflict certainly does not benefit anyone.”
About the Negreira case and RMTV
Laporta also passionately defended Barcelona against the allegations in the Negreira case.
“This will continue until the judge says enough is enough. We are going through the legal process and all the decisions clearly show that Barcelona did not bribe the referee and did nothing wrong. The other private prosecutions did not provide any conclusive evidence.” he said.
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“If new evidence emerges, this procedure will need to be extended. All this leads to a delay in the judge’s decision. We are condemned before the trial. I believe that Barca will eventually be acquitted.”
He mocked Real Madrid’s involvement, adding: Some actors have a vested interest in keeping this dynamic going. They keep dragging out the idea that Barca benefit from the referees, which is a lie.
“In the 72 years since the refereeing committee was established, there have always been Real Madrid members. Real Madrid have a lot of power and they don’t like us winning. Winning has an added value.”
He blamed Real Madrid TV for the controversial video directed at the referee, adding:
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“Javier Tebas said that Real Madrid are trying to exert influence through RMTV. Maybe they should look at the way the Real Madrid TV channel handles referees, they do it with an inappropriate intensity.”
Speaking about his current relationship with Real Madrid, given the growing divisions caused by the Super League and the Negreira case, he noted:
“The way forward is to go back to the European Club Association and UEFA to restore peace to football. Real Madrid are panicking as they see Barca’s resurgence. If we repeat what I did during my first term as president… they are trying to tarnish the best period in Barca’s history.
“Barcelona dominates Europe and attracts everyone. Everyone wants to play like us. There is a campaign to discredit Barca. I don’t need to apologize. The Negrrera incident was based on the referee’s report.
“I think when you intentionally do something wrong you have to apologize. I don’t like being stuck in a constant cycle of apologies. It’s clear there is a smear campaign against Barca.
“It’s undeniable. We have the best team in the world and this is a golden era in Barcelona’s history. I will always consider this period the best in our history.”
On La Liga President Javier Tebas
Laporta also spoke about La Liga president Javier Tebas and expressed support for him despite past differences.
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“There are differences with Tebas but overall the relationship is good. He is a man of his word, respectable and experienced. I do not trust those who want to expel him. This is not good news for us,” Laporta said.
He once again accused Real Madrid of plotting against Tebas, adding: “We have developed a relationship where we both know the rules. Now Madrid are pursuing a strategy to try to expel him…
“Yes, there was a conflict between Tebas and Florentino and that doesn’t worry me. I see some obsession in the White House in this conflict.”
Continuing his equation with Tebas, Laporta noted: “The relationship with Tebas is very good. He is the president of La Liga and I am the president of Barcelona. He considers Barcelona an important club and that is why we accepted the game in Miami.”
“We accept this for the sake of La Liga. The CSD did not allow this match. We abide by the established authorities. I hope Tebas will tell me honestly that he is a Real Madrid fan.”
Source: World Sports News