BARCA HAVE NEVER BOUGHT REFEREES, INSISTS CHIEF LAPORTA

In the midst of inquiries into payments made over a period of years to a former refereeing chief, Barcelona president Joan Laporta reaffirmed on Tuesday that his team has never “bought” referees.

According to reports, the Catalan side paid a company run by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) in Spain, 6.5 million euros ($6.9 million) between 2001 and 2018 for what they claimed was guidance on refereeing-related issues.

El Pais, a Spanish daily, reported on Tuesday that it intends to file a complaint against Barcelona for “continuous sporting corruption” while Spanish prosecutors are looking into the payments.

At a Barcelona event, Laporta declared, “Let it be clear that Barca have never bought referees and Barca have never had the aim of buying refs, certainly never.

“Those who want to distort the story are contradicted by the facts, which are strong. Once again, everything is going fine.

Laporta made another allusion to the “pushing a campaign” against La Liga head Javier Tebas that he previously criticized.

Laporta stated, “There is an effort to harm Barça’s interests.

“The campaign’s goal is to take control of the club. La Liga does not accept that Barça did not sign the collective media rights agreement with CVC.

With the squad presently nine points clear at the top of La Liga and on track to win its first league championship since 2019, Laporta claimed he was considering giving coach Xavi Hernandez a contract extension. The current contract for Xavi expires in June 2024.

Laporta stated, “I have considered Xavi’s renewal. He’s a man who doesn’t stretch his arm out beyond his sleeve, he doesn’t ask for ridiculous things, and he knows the club’s (financial) circumstances.

The president added that Barcelona was considering adding to their roster this summer after making significant investments last season that were made possible, among other things, by selling a portion of their future television rights.

Laporta continued, “Barca will need to buy a full-back unquestionably, as well as a center-back if there is a good possibility.

“Yes, a striker is necessary, but someone must depart. We have a strong midfield and a youth system that produces players for the first squad.

“Xavi needs to encourage young talents as well. Even though we don’t have as many financial resources as a “state-club,” one additional striker would be appropriate. We have to use caution.