Barcelona VP responds to Real Madrid president’s accusations: ‘We must answer on the pitch’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez delivered strong accusations against FC Barcelona on Sunday regarding the Negreira case.

“It’s not normal that Barcelona paid the vice president of the referees’ association more than 8 million euros for at least 17 years,” Perez said.

“Whatever the reason. The vice-president of the referees’ committee, who held important positions. A period that, coincidentally, coincides with Barcelona’s best results in our country.”

The Real Madrid president also launched an attack against La Liga for proposing to move Barça’s league fixture against Villarreal, which eventually ended up falling through.

Rafa Yuste responds

Barcelona have now issued their response to Perez’s statements and accusations through club vice-president Rafa Yuste.

Florentino Perez launched a scathing attack on Barcelona. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Currently in London for the team’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Chelsea later tonight, Yuste was asked for his thoughts on Perez’s allegations. In response, he said:

“We have to respond on the pitch today. Today is a day to focus on the match,” Yuste said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

The comments made by Perez have most certainly ruptured the institutional truce that Barça and Real Madrid had maintained in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Barcelona VP also addressed the upcoming match against Chelsea, saying:

“We are facing the second-placed team in the Premier League, a team that is playing very well, but we have to show that we are Barça.”

Both Barcelona and Chelsea are outside the top eight in the Champions League standings currently, with seven points after four matches.

As such, winning the match at Stamford Bridge is very crucial for both teams in terms of achieving progress directly to the knockouts and not having to go through an additional playoff round.