Laporta accuses Real Madrid of controlling Spanish referees for 72 years

Joan Laporta has launched a scathing attack on Real Madrid as he runs for a third term as Barcelona president, accusing them of controlling Spanish refereeing for more than seven decades and saying Barca are the victims of a calculated smear campaign orchestrated from the capital.

The Spanish public prosecutor is accusing Barcelona of sporting corruption over payments to companies linked to former Referees' Committee vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira — €7–8 million over a 17-year period. Laporta has defended the club, insisting the money was for legitimate technical advice and that the legal pressure is part of a coordinated plan from Madrid to undermine Barcelona.

Spain, Madrid

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