“Perez’s tears started this propaganda!” – Fans STUNNED as retired La Liga referee Mateu Lahoz BASHES ‘Negreira Case’, admits to instances where he ‘harmed’ Barcelona

Lahoz admitted to 'costing' Barca La Liga title.

“Perez’s tears started this propaganda!” – Fans STUNNED as retired La Liga referee Mateu Lahoz BASHES ‘Negreira Case’, admits to instances where he ‘harmed’ Barcelona

Mateu Lahoz disallowed a Lionel Messi goal vs Atletico Madrid. (Via X/@BarcaTimes & BarcaUniversal)

The rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona dates back to the early 1900s. However, the arguments and clashes are not restricted to what happens on the pitch as fans from either side have complained about the refereeing and favoritism, with much of the blame falling on former La Liga official Mateu Lahoz. Another important incident surrounding the issue is the Negreira case.

As per the scandal, the Catalans were charged with bribery that involved José María Enríquez Negreira of the RFEF. However, Mateu Lahoz who has been in charge of El Clasico games in the past, vehemently denied all the allegations mentioned above. The Spaniard admitted in front of Civil Guardia that certain decisions made in the heat of the moment can benefit either side.

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He said,

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I have harmed Barcelona at times. There have been situations that are difficult to referee, and that they have benefitted some clubs or the others.

This admission has seemingly put an end to the accusations that Barcelona have in fact, not paid or influenced referees to influence decisions.

He pointed out several instances, such as the Copa del Rey final in 2014, a wrongfully disallowed Lionel Messi goal, and a penalty given against the Catalans, to prove his point.

Fans react to Mateu Lahoz’s recent admissions in front of Civil Guardia

Social media has not been the same since Mateu Lahoz’s admission about some decisions of his ‘hurting’ Barcelona. The ever-standing accusation that Lahoz and co. were always in favor of Barcelona were ‘demolished’ after Lahoz said that his decisions have also been against the club, that too, by mistake. A fan said that it has always been Barcelona against the world, and not the other way around, like Madrid fans have been claiming.

Lionel Messi's disallowed goal vs Atletico Madrid
Lionel Messi’s disallowed goal vs Atletico Madrid. (Via X/@BarcaTimes)

Others said that the Negreria case was started by Florentino Perez, but will end with his ‘arrest’ instead. Some even claimed that Perez had paid Lahoz in the past to do so. Many were disappointed at the news and mentioned how Messi’s disallowed goal in question ended up costing them the La Liga title that season. Lahoz also admitted that he let a goal scored by Madrid stand even though there was doubt of an offside.

Here are some of the fans’ reactions:

https://twitter.com/EmekaFranklin29/status/1745922411139059827?s=20

Some expressed sheer outrage as they called for Lahoz’s arrest and to impose penalties on him. Some mocked Madrid fan pages for running the agenda of Barcelona paying referees for several years in the past. Fans also called for an explanation from Madrid President Florentino Perez. As it stands in La Liga, Real Madrid are league leaders while Barcelona are two spots behind the third.

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