Laporta unfazed by Real Madrid complaint to UEFA over Negreira case: ‘They will not get their way’ | OneFootball

Joan Laporta officially began his latest mandate as president of Barcelona and addressed a number of topics during the event.

The club president has responded firmly to Real Madrid’s complaint to UEFA over the Negreira case, insisting Barcelona are calm and confident.

The Barça president spoke after officially beginning his new mandate and described Madrid’s move as another “tantrum” from the Bernabeu.

Laporta was especially direct when asked about Madrid’s attempt to push UEFA towards sanctioning Barcelona. His message was clear:

“They will not get their way,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Laporta not bothered by Real Madrid’s antics. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

This was as definitive as an answer can get from Laporta. It was the president trying to project control at a moment when Madrid are trying to rattle them.

Laporta accuses Madrid of distraction

Laporta suggested that Real Madrid’s complaint is being used to shift attention away from issues around their own club model and stadium situation.

He said the complaint has suited Madrid “to make noise and divert attention from other issues.

“That obsession they have with becoming a public limited company, and other things that are not going well for them, such as there being no music and not knowing where they will have to park.”

It was a classic Laporta response, with the legal confidence expected of a lawyer but, at the same time, with the ability to turn it into a political attack against their El Clasico opponents.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez had described the Negreira case as “the biggest scandal in the history of world football” and suggested UEFA could not allow football to remain under suspicion of corruption.

Florentino Perez has been making unfounded allegations against Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Laporta rejected that framing completely.

Barça insist evidence is on their side

The Barcelona president said: “They will not get their way. We know what UEFA thinks about this matter, about all of this, and they will not get away with it.”

He continued: “It is another tantrum from them, trying to drag this issue out to justify actions that make no sense and will not prosper. It is in the ordinary courts and we have been dealing with this matter for a long time.”

Laporta also insisted Barcelona have provided evidence in the procedure, while accusing the opposing parties of not contributing anything.

Laporta clearly believes Real Madrid are using the case as a weapon. Whether fans like his style or not, he is setting the tone for his new mandate: Barça will not stay silent.

This is the Barcelona people have come to expect under Laporta. They will not take punches without giving them back, and it remains to be seen what the resolution on this issue is.