The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, announced on Tuesday an in-depth investigation into the Negreira case. In this sense, the manager revealed that the club has hired an external lawyer so that "together with our Compliance team, an analysis of these years is carried out with independence, rigor and excellence."
Laporta recalled that the club in recent days has already launched "an internal investigation" and that there is a willingness to give extensive explanations. “Shortly we will hold a press conference to explain all the information we have at the club on the matter. We are conducting an internal investigation. It will be soon, I hope it won't be long. We want to explain ourselves, ”he extended.
From here Laporta mixed defense and attack. He defended free journalistic work in a democratic society but showed his anger at the data that is appearing in the media. “We regret the leaks of information, data, documents of a case that is in the investigation phase at the Prosecutor's Office and they should have maximum custody. Neither the Prosecutor's Office nor the police forces have told the club that it is under investigation," said the Barça leader.
Laporta then defended his management in the Negreira case with respect to his first presidential period (2003-2010). “In my first term, the reports were made with an invoice and with the corresponding documentary and video support. Money was paid with established invoices. What was done later is under investigation. When we have more information we will let you know."
In this mixture between protecting himself and attacking from the open grave, the one who took several verbal blows was the president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, who on Monday had said that if Laporta could not explain well what had happened regarding the referee reports "he would have to resign". “Thebes has already taken off his mask again. In his career he has already shown his phobia against Barcelona. He didn't want Messi to play for Barça in 2005. He continues with this obsession. He does not forgive us for not signing the agreement with CVC or for being in favor of the Super League. He has now said that he wants me to resign. Mr. Tebas wants to destabilize us. I will not give you the pleasure of resigning. Barça belongs to its partners and partners”, sentenced Laporta.
The president also warned those who, in his opinion, want to question the nobility of the entity.
“Whoever dedicates himself to dirtying the history of Barça will have a forceful response from the club. We have forged our history based on work and spectacular football that has led us to sporting success. We will not allow them to dirty the history of Barça”.
Laporta made these statements in a statement without questions from the media. These are the president's first public reflections on the Negreira case since he made on Wednesday of last week, the day the matter broke out publicly. That time he attacked those who tried to question the morality of the club and assured that "it was not by chance" that the case arose at the best sporting moment of the team in the season. Laporta spoke after the presentation of the integration of the Camp Nou into the Kuppel Air Safety System, in which he coincided with the Minister of the Interior, Joan Ignasi Elena.
