Joan Laporta targets Real Madrid in new book | OneFootball

Former Barça president reignites Spanish football war

Joan Laporta targets Real Madrid in new book

Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta will release new book on 24 February sharing his version of the club’s recent crises.

Laporta prepares book ahead of elections

Former Joan Laporta who stepped down from his role at Barcelona ahead of the next elections, is set to publish a new book titled “This Is How We Saved Barcelona”

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the book will be officially released on Monday, with copies available in bookstores from 24 February.

Laporta uses the book to explain how he dealt with Barcelona’s severe financial crisis during his second term as president.

Financial crisis and key departures

In the book, Laporta details the difficult decisions taken over five year describing what he calls innovative solutions to fix what he viewed as chaotic financial situation at the club.

He also addresses the high-profile departures of Lionel Messi, former coach Ronald Koeman and club legend Xavi Hernandez. Laporta explains the context behind each exit and how those moments shaped Barcelona’s recent history.

The book also includes Laporta’s position on the European Super League project and Barcelona’s involvement in the controversial plan.

Laporta addresses the Negreira case

Laporta also uses the book to respond to accusations linked to the Negreira case stating that there is no clear evidence showing that payments made to companies connected to former referees official influenced referee appointments or match results.

He challenges critics to point out specific match, goal or decision that benefited Barcelona because of those payments. Laporta insists that no sporting advantage was gained.

The former Barcelona president also responds directly to comments made by Florentino Perez president of Real Madrid who recently described the Negreira case as the biggest scandal in football history.

Laporta counters by claiming that, for decades, many heads of Spain’s refereeing committees had close ties to Real Madrid, either as former players, officials or supporters.

He argues that this situation, in his view, represents a far greater controversy in Spanish football.