Real Madrid president launches fresh attack on Barcelona over Negreira case: ‘Most serious case in football today’ | OneFootball

Last month, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez launched a scathing attack on Barcelona, notably calling out the Negreira case.

It looked as if the gloves were finally coming off between Barcelona and Real Madrid, which was further confirmed by Joan Laporta’s response later.

Now, Perez has once again fired shots at Barcelona, during a Christmas address in front of the Spanish press, where he extensively talked about the Negreira case.

Perez attacks Barcelona over Negreira case

Perez tried to paint the Negreira case as the most serious issue in Spanish football, accusing of Spanish footballing authority of leaving Real Madrid alone in the fight.

“As you well know, the extremely serious situation that occurred with the ‘Negreira case’ for almost two decades deserves justice. It is completely incomprehensible that the institutions have left Real Madrid alone in this fight,” he said (h/t Diario AS).

He went on to call the Negreira case the biggest scandal in football, in what was a direct attack on Barcelona, considering that the Catalans have been declared faultless in the controversy.

“How is it possible that the president of the referees asks us to forget it? How can we forget the biggest scandal in the history of football? How can the RFEF and LaLiga behave this way? They have a duty to ensure integrity,” he said.

Perez added by mentioning the key details of the allegations and urged for changes within the system.

Florentino Perez once again didn’t hold back against Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“The ‘Negreira case’ is the most serious case in football today. We know that more than 8 million euros were paid for referee technical reports. And to top it off, the coaches never even received them.

“Who can believe that these reports, which the coaches didn’t even know existed, were paid for? It highlights the need for radical change,” he said.

The Real Madrid president also talked about Real Madrid’s latest game against Deportivo Alaves, who had made comments against the club in the past.

“Yesterday we had a referee who threatened to take action against our club on the eve of the Cup final. And it seems the fouls suffered by Vinicius and Rodrygo weren’t penalties. That’s the latest in a long line of this season,” he said.

Perez even claimed that some Spanish clubs may have even gotten relegated because of the Negreira case.

“It’s possible that some clubs have been relegated as a result of the Negreira case. Our football has been damaged, and justice must be served. Don’t forget that the investigating judge in the case described it as systemic corruption,” he said.

Finally, the Real Madrid president vowed that the club will continue to press the issue against Barcelona, in what appears to be a clear declaration of animosity.

“And Barça admitted that these payments were made because they were advantageous. Why? What was the purpose? Real Madrid will continue to press the issue, and you in the media play a crucial role,” he concluded.