Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched a scathing attack on La Liga referees, alleging a systematic bias against his club and a concerted effort to prevent them from winning the league title. The accusations, made during a campaign event for his re-election, come as Barcelona navigates a tightly contested season and face increasing scrutiny over refereeing decisions impacting their matches.
Laporta’s comments reflect growing frustration within the club regarding recent officiating calls, particularly following matches against Girona and Atlético Madrid. The club previously released a statement expressing “deep concern” over what they perceive as inconsistent criteria in refereeing decisions, a sentiment echoed by player Raphinha, who also voiced his discontent. This latest outburst underscores the escalating tension between Barcelona and the league’s officiating body.
Speaking at the launch of his re-election campaign on February 18, 2026, Laporta stated, “Some referees consistently make the same calls against us and This represents a reality,” according to reports. He further claimed that unnamed figures are actively working against Barcelona’s success this season, alleging a deliberate plot to undermine their title aspirations. The president emphasized his commitment to defending the club “against everything and everyone,” framing the situation as a broader struggle for sporting integrity.
Negreira Case and Ongoing Scrutiny
Laporta’s accusations arrive amidst ongoing legal proceedings related to the “Negreira case,” involving payments made by FC Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of the Referees’ Technical Committee. Laporta testified in court on December 12, 2025, denying that the payments influenced refereeing decisions and asserting that Barcelona’s successes were earned through the quality of its players, stating, “We did not benefit from [referees] at all, we were an example to the world.” Catalan News reported on the testimony, noting that neither Laporta nor former managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde were accused of wrongdoing at the time.
The judge investigating the case had cited Laporta, Enrique, and Valverde for testimony to provide context, but the investigation continues. The payments, spanning multiple years, have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of La Liga’s officiating. Tribuna reported that Laporta maintained he did not personally know Negreira or his son, Javier, who prepared referee reports for the club.
Recent Controversial Decisions Fuel Accusations
The latest wave of criticism stems from recent matches where Barcelona felt aggrieved by refereeing decisions. A perceived stamp on Jules Kounde during a match against Girona, where no red card was issued to Claudio Echeverri, and a similar incident involving Giuliano Simeone in their Copa del Rey defeat against Atlético Madrid, have ignited the controversy. The Mirror detailed the club’s outrage, highlighting the lengthy statement released by Barcelona complaining to the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation).
Former referee Eduardo Iturralde González has criticized Laporta’s remarks, calling for an apology. González argued that Laporta’s comments are particularly inappropriate given the ongoing Negreira case, suggesting they contribute to a climate of distrust towards Spanish referees. World Soccer Talk reported González stating that Laporta “must apologise to Spanish football and refereeing.”
Laporta also commented on a recent Real Madrid match against Rayo Vallecano, questioning the amount of added time awarded, stating, “I don’t know where those nine or 10 minutes of extra time came from.”
Looking Ahead
The accusations leveled by Laporta and Raphinha are likely to further intensify the debate surrounding refereeing in La Liga. The RFEF is expected to address the concerns raised by Barcelona, but the ongoing Negreira case and the perception of bias will continue to cast a shadow over the league. The outcome of the Negreira investigation, and any potential sanctions, will be crucial in determining the future of Spanish football governance. Barcelona’s pursuit of the league title will undoubtedly be closely monitored, with every refereeing decision subject to intense scrutiny.
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