On Barça's European trips there are three possibilities. One, which happens from time to time, that Laporta stops to talk briefly with the media before lunch with the rival board. Another, that he almost does not stop but that he makes a joke or joke. The third, that he enters quickly, without making statements and without allowing himself any catchphrase. This Thursday in Manchester the third took place. He did not seem particularly concerned, but neither is the oven, with the Negreira case hot and with controversial data appearing almost daily, depending on what licenses.
The issue of payments to the former vice president of the Technical Arbitration Committee has not changed the routines of the Barça staff, neither when it comes to accompanying the team on a trip like Manchester nor for what it does to comply with the entity's institutional commitments. read the corresponding agape with the rival leaders. Of course, Laporta and also some managers always take a short walk the morning of the meeting but this Thursday they did not have much time because Manchester United seemed to summon them to a "brunch" more than a meal, since the appointment was at 11.30 in the morning.
The Barcelona president arrived accompanied by his usual partner in these fights, sports vice president Rafael Yuste. Executives such as Miquel Camps, the football director Mateu Alemany or the technical secretary Jordi Cruyff, who at the time was also a member of Manchester United, also attended. The meeting took place at The Ivy, a quality brasserie located in the heart of Manchester but without exorbitant prices for what these lunches usually are.
The day before, Laporta, his managers and also Enric Masip walked through the Old Trafford band while Barcelona carried out the last training session on the eve of the game. They always do it on all continental trips and this time too. The idea is to convey support to the team and a sense of normality despite what is falling at the Camp Nou due to the Negreira case. On Wednesday night, after dinner, some managers, but not Laporta, went out to have a drink at a place with a Caribbean accent also located on one of the main arteries of the city.
The procession of the managers and Laporta goes inside, waiting for the team this Thursday to bring joy to the club and the fans in a few gloomy days and with a matter that can still take a long time. The promised press conference is already being planned at the club to explain the payments to the former referee leader. According to what 'Mundo Deportivo' pointed out this Wednesday, the idea is to convene it in two or three weeks. Laporta already said on Tuesday that the will is to offer an in-depth version of the club sooner rather than later.
