Barcelona president Joan Laporta has fired a fresh salvo at Real Madrid, using the club’s Christmas party stage to respond to the growing attention around the Negreira case — and he did not hold back.
During his speech, Laporta claimed Barcelona’s standing has reached a level that “generates envy,” before suggesting certain rivals are deliberately attempting to damage the club’s image through constant attacks and calculated narratives.
“Smear campaigns” and a clear target
Laporta described what he believes are ongoing smear campaigns against Barcelona’s badge and identity, insisting the club will not tolerate it.
“I suppose you know who I am referring to,” he said, as he pointed to rivals who he claimed “break all codes of conduct, ethical and moral, and not only sporting ones.”
“They vomit lies” — Laporta’s strongest line
In the most eye-catching section of his rant, Laporta accused the forces he was referencing of using media platforms to push falsehoods, claiming they “vomit lies” and continuously “intoxicate” the football environment.
He framed the situation as a coordinated attempt to undermine Barcelona rather than an honest debate about the facts.
What is the Negreira case?
The Negreira case focuses on payments made between 2001 and 2018 to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee. Reports have stated Barcelona paid €7.3 million across the 17 years — a timeline that overlaps with one of the most successful stretches in the club’s modern history.
The case remains under investigation in Spain, and it has also drawn attention at European level.
Laporta’s defense: “Reports, not favours”
Laporta has consistently denied wrongdoing and insists Barcelona did not pay for refereeing favours. His position is that the club paid for technical reports, not influence, and that Barcelona’s global reputation meant it did not need help.
He has also claimed he did not personally know Negreira or have contact with anyone in his circle, and has suggested some older documents no longer exist due to record-handling processes.
Why this matters for Real Madrid vs Barcelona
This isn’t just a football rivalry story anymore — it’s a reputational battle. Barcelona see Madrid’s continued emphasis on the case as an aggressive public campaign, while Madrid and their supporters view the matter as a serious issue that must be addressed fully.
Either way, Laporta’s Christmas party outburst shows the temperature between the two clubs remains as high as ever.