Overview
- Pérez on Monday denounced Barcelona at Real Madrid's press dinner, alleging systemic corruption and calling the Negreira affair the sport's greatest scandal.
- Laporta's retort comes as public debate over Barcelona's 2001–2018 payments to refereeing officials persists despite a 2024 court ruling that dismissed the bribery charge.
- Laporta testified in court last week regarding the Negreira case, which he says continues to be used to attack the club.
- He linked the dispute to governance battles, saying Barcelona seeks agreement with UEFA, whereas Pérez champions a proposed Super League.
- Real-aligned daily Marca framed the exchange as an escalation, declaring, "This is war."