Font slams Madrid bias: "Refs have always favoured Real - that's just facts"
Barcelona presidential candidate Víctor Font takes aim at officiating in Spanish football while criticising Laporta's handling of Messi relationship and promising cheaper season tickets.
Barcelona presidential hopeful Víctor Font isn’t pulling any punches in his campaign, taking direct aim at Real Madrid and what he perceives as long-standing referee bias in Spanish football.
The businessman, who previously ran against Joan Laporta in 2021, made the explosive claims during an interview on Cadena SER’s ‘El Larguero’ programme, where he covered everything from Messi’s fractured relationship with the club to season ticket prices.
Referee controversy
Font didn’t mince his words when discussing officiating in Spain, claiming that referee favoritism towards Real Madrid is nothing new:
“Refs have favoured Real Madrid since forever,” Font declared, pointing to what he views as historical patterns rather than isolated incidents.
The presidential candidate backed up his argument with current statistics, highlighting that Madrid have been awarded 16 penalties in just 23 league matches this season. He also suggested that Real Madrid TV continues to exert undue influence over officiating decisions.
Font confirmed that if elected, he would maintain Barcelona’s current policy of severed institutional relations with Real Madrid while RMTV continues what he perceives as influencing referees.
Messi reconciliation “a priority”
The Barcelona presidential candidate also took aim at Laporta’s handling of the Messi situation, arguing that reconciliation with the Argentine should have been a top priority since his departure.
“That he has to sneak into Camp Nou, that we’ve broken relations with Leo but not with Real Madrid, is unforgivable,” Font stated.
Xavi backing and ticket promises
Despite not offering him an official role, Font revealed that Xavi Hernández is supporting his candidacy because the former manager feels “very deceived” by the current board.
According to Font, Xavi wants “a change of model, modernization of the club, and an end to such personality-driven leadership.”
Font also promised concrete benefits for supporters if elected:
- Lower season ticket prices for loyal members
- Rewards for attendance consistency
- Prioritizing members over tourists at Camp Nou
“We want a stadium full of members, prioritizing them over tourists,” he explained.