Barcelona acting president confirms return to 1:1 rule; sends warning to Real Madrid – “Will meet in court” | OneFootball

Barcelona’s acting president, Rafa Yuste, addressed the club’s 1,000 longest-standing members at the 2026 Senate meeting on Tuesday.

In his address, the acting president talked about several topics, including the club’s financial recovery and upcoming transfer activity.

But it was his closing remarks on the Negreira case and a direct threat of legal action against Real Madrid and their president, Florentino Perez, that caught the eye.

On the pitch and in the transfer market

Yuste opened by reflecting on what Hansi Flick’s side had produced across the season.

“We’ve had a spectacular season, playing great football, and we’ve won every home game. La Masia is the heart of this institution, which is why we’ve had eight players called up to the Spanish national team,” he said (h/t MARCA).

“Winning a league title and a cup isn’t easy, so I want to thank Hansi Flick, his staff, the rehabilitation specialists.

“I also want to thank Deco and Bojan because they’ve done something very difficult: establishing the team’s backbone. This team is solid and will bring us a lot of joy,” he added.

On the summer transfer window, Yuste talked about Anthony Gordon’s arrival and hinted that more business is on the way.

“We’ve signed Gordon, who’s very versatile. Flick likes players who press like Raphinha. Anthony is incredibly humble.

Yuste said more signings will follow. (Picture credit: X/@FCBarcelona)

“It won’t be today, but between now and the end of the season you’ll surely hear about some new additions that Deco and Bojan are making,” he said.

He then turned to the club’s finances, drawing a direct contrast with the situation the current board inherited when they returned to power.

“One of the most important aspects of this club is the balance between sporting performance and finances. We inherited a club in shambles, and we’re rebuilding it. What’s undeniable is that, as President Laporta said, the joy would return. And it has.”

“It’s very easy to play to the gallery and sign players left and right. We didn’t do that. When we arrived at the club, we had to reduce a wage bill that was sky-high, until now, when we can implement the 1:1 player-for-player rule, which will allow us to sign players normally.”

He pointed to the Spotify Camp Nou renovation and commercial growth as the pillars of the club’s financial future.

“There are many areas that will generate profits, such as this stadium, the Spotify Camp Nou. It’s a very important part of the finances. It’s a stadium that will hold 105,000 people.

However, this comes against the backdrop of recent reports which suggest Barcelona will once again file for a fresh credit line to complete the Camp Nou project. Yuste did not talk about that and instead offered his two cents on the importance of merchandising.

“Another important area is merchandising, the Barça stores… we’re breaking records in everything. When we present the results, you’ll see how we finished the year, and you’ll be very pleased. We’re on the right track, very much so.”

Yuste’s warning to Real Madrid

The tone shifted sharply when Yuste addressed remarks made by Florentino Perez in a recent press conference, in which the Real Madrid president had linked Barcelona’s title wins to the Negreira case.

“They can’t stomach all the titles from 600km away. There’s a difference between jealousy and rage,” he said.

“I already told you when the Real Madrid president, in a disgraceful press conference — which I found shameful — accused us of buying the leagues, of winning them thanks to the referees as if linesmen scored goals.

Yuste has sent a strong message to Real Madrid, warning action. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

“He said things like Negreira… Do you really think all the titles were like that? The thing is, this man can’t accept what we’re doing.”

He then confirmed that the club’s legal department has already prepared its response.

“Our legal department has prepared the legal actions we will take against Real Madrid and against their president. He has resorted to slander to destabilise us. We will meet in court. No one will tarnish the name of Barca, this badge. We will take care of it.”

“We will go after them because we have the upper hand. Do you really think they can threaten us by saying they’ve sent 500 pages? You’ll see,” he concluded.