“Worse than Juventus,” Javier Tebas slams FC Barcelona for referee payment scandal and demands Joan Laporta’s resignation

Javier Tebas talks about FC Barcelona referee payment scandal.

“Worse than Juventus,” Javier Tebas slams FC Barcelona for referee payment scandal and demands Joan Laporta’s resignation

La Liga president Javier Tebas. (Image via Getty)

FC Barcelona has garnered new media attention because of its involvement in the “Referee Payments Affair.” The president of FC Barcelona has been admonished for this incident by La Liga president Javier Tebas.

According to Javier Tebas, “There is deep concern about the damage being done to Spanish football. I have explained what the league is going to do. Among other things, I have written to the Public Prosecutor’s Office with some information that can help the investigation of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. If there had been no sporting statute of limitations, we would have opened a disciplinary case without a doubt.” He said, “If he doesn’t explain well why he was paid, I think he should (resign). He has not given a reasonable explanation for these payments. In the note that Barcelona issued, it seemed that all football clubs did this.”

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Later, when asked if the situation was worse than that of Juventus, he stated, “For now, I would say Juventus because they have already been sanctioned, but in the future, I think Barça’s situation will be worse than Juventus’ situation.” This might be a significant issue for FC Barcelona, but the players will attempt to concentrate on the league and the Europa League.

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FC Barcelona’s ‘Referee Payments Scandal’ explained

FC Barcelona stadium Camp Nou. (Image via Getty)

According to allegations, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees, received €1.4 million from FC Barcelona and sent it to a company controlled by him.

Barcelona paid DASNIL 95 and the time period between 2016 and 2018 while Negreira was in charge. Joan Laporta has been warned by La Liga’s president to quit if he is unable to explain himself. Barcelona has dismissed the allegations.  Former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu stated on Thursday that “It is false and absurd to think that we paid off any referee,”

FC Barcelona, like Juventus, may face a point deduction. This week’s showdown against Manchester United will be critical. They will also face Real Madrid next week in Copa Del Rey.