Amidst allegations of bribing referees, FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta refuted any involvement in corrupt practices during a press conference at the Camp Nou stadium on Monday. Laporta emphasized that the club upholds strong values and strives to win games through fair play and their own merit rather than relying on external assistance.
The allegations stem from a corruption case brought against the Catalan club by Spanish prosecutors last month, revealing payments exceeding €7.3 million ($7.8 million) to a company owned by a former refereeing chief, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. Laporta dismissed these allegations as a “smear campaign” against Barcelona, stating that they have never sought to gain a sporting advantage unfairly.
The club took to Twitter to denounce the attacks, calling on fans to remain united in defense of their “shield, essence, and ownership model, which is that of a club for all members.”
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