Barcelona President Drags Real Madrid in the Mud, Claims UCL Winners Are Favoured by Referees

• Joan Laporta has smeared mud on Real Madrid's recent success in La Liga and the Champions League in the just-ended season with some wild allegations
• The Barcelona president, whose side has been accused of 'bribing' referees, claims Los Blancos tend to receive preferential treatment from officials
• Laporta's allegations come in the wake of Thomas Muller's previous lamentation after Madrid knocked Bayern Munich out of the Champions League

Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, has questioned the integrity of Real Madrid's successful 2023–24 campaign with a bold allegation.

Laporta, whose club is under investigation for "active bribery" due to alleged payments made to a former referee chief, pointed accusing fingers at his El Clasico rivals, suggesting they receive favours from referees.

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The Catalan giants are said to have made payments to former Spanish FA refereeing vice-president Enriquez Negreira.

According to GOAL, La Blaugrana has been under investigation for a total of 33 payments totalling €1.6 million made to a company owned by Negreira between 2016 and 2018.

However, Laporta has said Barca has "never bought referees or influence," insisting on his club's innocence.

Barca president alleges referees favour Real Madrid

While addressing the ongoing investigations, the 61-year-old instead suggested that Real Madrid, the reigning La Liga and Champions League winners, tend to benefit from dubious referee calls.

"Real Madrid are the team favoured by the referees," Laporta told the media, as quoted by Tribuna.

He stressed Barcelona would be acquitted to buttress his claims.

"We have never bought referees. We will be acquitted because the contrary theses have no basis and no way to prove it because it does not exist."

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Muller claims Madrid benefits from referee calls

Amid Laporta's wild claims, it's worth noting that Thomas Muller hinted that Real Madrid may have benefited from favourable refereeing decisions following Bayern Munich's elimination from the UCL semi-finals.

Muller, who assisted on de Ligt's disallowed goal, openly criticised Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and his assistants.

The German forward went on to imply that Real Madrid frequently receives preferential treatment, particularly when playing at the Bernabeu, as reported by Sports Brief.

Barcelona replace Xavi with Hansi Flick

Meanwhile, Sports Brief also reported that Barcelona has appointed former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick as coach after sacking club legend Xavi Hernandez.

Barca and Xavi decided jointly in April that he would stay for next season, but then Laporta changed his mind and sacked the former midfielder.