In a recent match at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid secured a controversial 3-2 victory against Almeria, prompting FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta to strongly criticize their rivals, calling the match “a disgrace.”
Despite being two goals down, Real Madrid managed to level the score with a Jude Bellingham penalty and a disputed goal by Vinicius Junior. The home team then clinched the win with a late goal from Dani Carvajal, solidifying their top position in the league.
The match was marred by controversial decisions, including the awarding of a penalty to Bellingham and allowing Vinicius’ goal, while Almeria’s third goal was disallowed. This led to widespread criticism from Spanish fans, with Barcelona seizing the opportunity to express their discontent with their arch-rivals.
🗣️ Joan Laporta ( FC Barcelona President): “What happened at the Bernabéu yesterday was a shame.”
— Goat Anthem (@GoatAnthem7) January 23, 2024
The obsession with Real Madrid is insane!#RealMadridAlmeria #RealMadrid #Almeria pic.twitter.com/k13yH7bcpz
Xavi Hernandez, Barcelona’s head coach, along with officials within the organization, voiced their opinions on the contentious victory. Laporta went a step further, labeling the events at the Bernabeu as a “disgrace” and calling for accountability from the refereeing collective.
Expressing concern about the pressures faced by referees during the season, Laporta emphasized the need for a response to ensure the integrity of the game. Despite the challenges, Laporta remained optimistic about Barcelona’s performance, attributing their struggles to biased refereeing.
Laporta pointed out that Barcelona’s inability to compete with Madrid this season was due to the referees’ questionable performances. Despite these challenges, Laporta expressed confidence in the team’s quality and unity, stating their commitment to winning all competitions.
It is important to note that Barcelona is currently under investigation for alleged payments to the Technical Committee of Referees’ ex-Vice President, Jose Maria Enrique Negreira. The club faces charges of “continuous corruption in the sports field,” with reports suggesting payments amounting to approximately €7 million ($7.5 million) from 2001 to 2018.
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