Laporta talks Raphinha, Champions League, Florentino Perez, Real Madrid: ‘They acted unacceptably’ | OneFootball

Speaking in an interview with Catalunya Radio (h/t AS), FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta discussed multiple important topics related with the club, including the injury blow sustained by club captain Raphinha.

The Barça chief is currently in Copenhagen, attending the EFC General Assembly, with the Catalans having returned to the organisation after over four years, following the club’s decision to walk away from the Super League project.

On Raphinha, UCL objective

Having learned about the injury that Raphinha sustained earlier today while in action for Brazil against Australia in a friendly encounter, Laporta lamented the situation while stating that the club were waiting on scan results.

“This news has upset us. We’re waiting for the MRI results, and we know these things happen during these breaks,” he said.

Targeting European success (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Regarding Barcelona’s fine start to the season and their biggest goal of the campaign, winning the UEFA Champions League, the club president underlined:

“We aspire to win the Champions League, we’re working towards it. We have a great squad, very good players, and a very capable coach. The players are highly motivated. Our goal is to compete for everything.”

Talking about the progress that the club has achieved in recent years, Laporta added: “What I take away from these last few years is that we’ve saved the club. That’s thanks to everyone. And we’ve done it by winning titles and building a new stadium.

“In these five years, we’ve won three league titles. There have been historic seasons, winning every match against our biggest rival. Barcelona fans have rediscovered their joy.”

On Florentino Perez and Real Madrid

A good part of the conversation focused on Barcelona’s relationship with Real Madrid, following the news that the conciliation hearing with Florentino Perez over his comments about the Negreira case has been scheduled for 25 November.

And, Laporta made it clear that his Real Madrid counterpart was in the wrong with his statements and that the club will continue to defend themselves.

“We defend Barcelona’s honour. His statements were false. His only interest is to insult and harm Barcelona. Real Madrid acted unacceptably,” he said.

All is not well between Barcelona and Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Regarding the prolonged Negreira case investigation, Laporta added: “Barcelona will be acquitted; Real Madrid is prolonging the situation with an untenable discourse. Relations are nonexistent.”

Relationship with UEFA, Atletico Madrid

During the chat, the Barcelona president also touched upon the club’s improved relationship with UEFA, saying:

“We were at odds with UEFA because we were in the Super League, but things weren’t progressing as we wanted.”

As for the club’s tense relationship with Atletico Madrid during the summer because of the Julian Alvarez saga, Laporta confirmed that he had resolved any differences that were there between himself and Atleti CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin.

“We embraced Gil Marin. We have occasional disagreements, but we prioritize the good personal relationship and the relationship between the two institutions.”