Spain’s Clasico is without doubt one of the world’s greatest sporting events, pitting giants Barcelona and Actual Madrid head-to-head, however the build-up to Sunday’s La Liga conflict has been overshadowed by “Caso Negreira”.
Barca have been charged with corruption by Spanish prosecutors for funds between 2001 and 2018 to the corporate of former refereeing chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, totalling round 7.3 million euros ($7.8 million).
The membership say they had been paying for experiences and recommendation on refereeing however prosecutors have accused the membership of searching for to realize beneficial decision-making from officers.
Costs had been filed final week in opposition to Barcelona, former vice chairman of Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA), Negreira, and two former Barcelona presidents, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, amongst others.
Though La Liga leaders Barcelona can just about clinch the title in the event that they beat second-place Actual Madrid on Sunday to maneuver 12 factors clear, headlines stay dominated by the Negreira case, with tensions rising round Spain.
Within the first spherical of fixtures after Barcelona had been charged final weekend, at numerous stadiums there was a type of protest in opposition to the supposed corruption scandal.
It was clearest within the Basque nation, the place Xavi Hernandez’s facet confronted Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Supporters threw mock cash onto the pitch with “mafia” printed on it, together with Barcelona’s membership emblem.
“I used to be stunned on the hostile ambiance in direction of Barca, it was unhappy to see,” mentioned Xavi after his workforce’s slim 1-0 win.
“(Barca) are being judged prematurely, which I do not suppose is nice for society.”
After Barcelona’s funds to Negreira’s firm had been unearthed in February, the membership responded rapidly and denied any wrongdoing.
President Joan Laporta mentioned the membership had ordered an exterior investigation and would offer solutions as rapidly as they might.
Nonetheless, they haven’t scheduled a information convention to reply questions on the difficulty and their silence has been criticised by La Liga president Javier Tebas.
“Sure (It is the worst second) that I keep in mind,” Tebas instructed Movistar channel Vamos on Tuesday.
“The issue that we’ve is the worst. There are funds recognised by Barcelona to the vice-president of the CTA, that is one thing irregular.
“It is comprehensible that rigidity is generated. The popularity of our soccer is at stake. I’m ashamed. Now we have no rationalization from Barcelona.”
Enjoying the sufferer
Laporta did converse at a lunch occasion with the Equestrian Circle in Barcelona and mentioned there was a “marketing campaign” to break Barcelona’s pursuits.
“Let or not it’s clear Barca have by no means purchased referees and Barca have by no means had the intention of shopping for referees, completely by no means,” mentioned the president.
Some, together with Tebas, have criticised Laporta and Barcelona for enjoying the sufferer.
Final Sunday Actual Madrid joined the proceedings in opposition to Barca as an “injured social gathering”, together with the CTA, Spanish soccer federation, La Liga and Spain’s nationwide sports activities council.
Barcelona is not going to host the standard administrators lunch with Actual Madrid and their president Florentino Perez forward of the Clasico consequently, in accordance with Spanish experiences.
After a interval of comparatively pleasant relations between the 2 golf equipment — each collaborating on the failed breakaway European Tremendous League plan — it marks a cooling.
Nonetheless, Perez was underneath strain from supporters demanding Madrid take motion in opposition to Barcelona.
Tebas spoke once more on Thursday, saying he didn’t suppose Barcelona had “purchased referees” however he additionally mentioned that “hiding isn’t the best way” and the membership had to offer full solutions.
The league’s president reiterated that no sporting punishment may be handed to Barcelona because the alleged infringements occurred too way back.
Laporta took to social media on Friday to attempt to flip consideration in direction of the Clasico, asking for the followers’ help greater than ever because the membership closes in on their first La Liga title since 2019.
“We’ll defend ourselves and we’ll assault, however now I need us to focus on cheering the workforce on,” mentioned Laporta.
“We should not have our consideration diverted by different issues. Let’s help Barca as a result of we love them.”