LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Barcelona president Joan Laporta came close to tears when warning the “scoundrels staining our badge” that the club will overcome the struggles to clear its name.
The Liga giants have become caught up in a corruption storm after it was revealed that payments were made to former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.
Domestic rivals, including Clasico foes Real Madrid, have rallied against Barca – accusing them of buying favour among match officials – but the Catalan giants maintain their innocence and Laporta has vowed to defend the team’s honour in court.
Laporta said at an event for the captains of Barcelona’s various sports clubs – including Sergio Busquets and Alexia Putellas: “I can’t wait to face all the scoundrels who are staining our badge that Barca is a club with values. We use the word values not to look good, but because values really are a fundamental part of our sporting excellence model.
“By that, Barca is admired and recognised throughout the world. It also happens that some, motivated by envy, try to erode our reputation with campaigns carried out in bad faith.”
He added that Barcelona sentiment cannot be bought or sold but it cannot be sullied either “and I take advantage of the fact that people who love the club are gathered together, there have been some ferocious attacks to stain our shield, which have nothing to do with reality.
“And you can be sure that in the board of directors that I have the honour of chairing we will defend it with all our strength.”
Laporta closed his speech when on the verge of tears, by saying: “Don’t think that I am getting emotional out of weakness, I am emotional because I really want to face all the scoundrels that are staining our shield.
“Let no one think that it is due to weakness.”
In the Spanish league, Barca are currently nine points clear at the top and are due to play host to arch-rivals Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday.
