Florentino Perez admits Real Madrid’s relationship with Barcelona is ‘completely broken’ | OneFootball

The tension between Real Madrid and Barcelona has reached a new level after Florentino Perez once again launched a fierce attack linked to the ongoing Negreira controversy.

Just hours after his dramatic press conference, Perez appeared for a lengthy interview with Josep Pedrerol, where he maintained the same aggressive tone that had already caused major uproar across Spanish football.

One of the biggest talking points from his earlier appearance had been his strong accusations regarding refereeing in Spain and Barcelona’s historical payments linked to former refereeing vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

Response to Barcelona

After his explosive press conference, it emerged that Barcelona are carefully studying his comments and considering whether legal action should be taken against the Real Madrid president. 

However, rather than stepping back, Perez openly challenged the Catalan club during the interview.

“Barça would do well to sue me. If they think they should, let them do it.”

Perez then continued defending Real Madrid’s position regarding the Negreira affair and insisted the club sees itself as the main victim in the entire situation.

“I found out about the Negreira case three years ago. It wasn’t Madrid who brought it to light, but the tax authorities, who spotted something odd. 

“The first to present itself as the aggrieved party is Real Madrid; LaLiga steps in without asking questions – it is an accomplice and an enemy of Madrid. 

“And the Referees’ Committee said we should just forget about it,” insisted Florentino.

Asking for UEFA’s help

Perez has been brutally honest about his relationship with Barcelona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Real Madrid president also revealed that the club plans to take its documentation to UEFA and claimed he had already discussed the matter with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

“We will submit all the documentation from these years to UEFA. Ceferin has told me that’s fine, that we are within our rights. 

“It’s documentation from the years they paid and those they claim they didn’t, yet the same referees continue to officiate. 

“It shows all the points they have blatantly taken away from us. This year, between 16 and 17 points.”

Perez also admitted that relations between Real Madrid and Barcelona have now collapsed completely because of the controversy.

“The relationship with Barça is completely broken. When I found out about this, I didn’t want to have any dealings with a club that has been paying referees for two decades. 

“We are the ones who have been wronged.”

Before the interview ended, Perez was also asked about Lamine Yamal. While praising the teenager, he also referenced the current hostility between the two clubs.

“I like him a lot, but now all that’s left is for us to go after him, given the state of relations with Barça.’”