Laporta lets rip in stunning ref rant: 'Some officials just screw us over'
Barcelona's former president Joan Laporta launches blistering attack on Spanish referees during campaign speech, claiming certain officials consistently harm the club.
Barcelona’s former president pulls no punches in extraordinary tirade against match officials, claiming the club faces systematic bias from specific referees.
‘They screw us over’
Joan Laporta has gone proper Bobby Moore with a remarkable outburst about refereeing standards in Spain, specifically naming no names but suggesting he could identify every single official who has it in for Barcelona.
“There are certain referees who consistently screw us over when they officiate our matches,” Laporta declared during a campaign stop in Girona, where he’s pushing his ‘Defensem el Barça’ (Defend Barça) presidential platform.
The former president, seeking to return to the Camp Nou hot seat, revealed the club has already sent a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation regarding decisions in their recent 2-1 defeat to Girona, describing it as “well-argued” and “constructive” while highlighting “indisputable facts.”
’Systematic bias’
Laporta’s beef with the officials goes well beyond a single match. He claims there’s a pattern of inconsistency that always seems to work against Barcelona:
- Identical situations judged differently when involving Barcelona
- Certain referees repeatedly making harmful decisions against the club
- Opposition teams receiving favourable treatment during difficult periods
“When we say we defend Barça against everything and everyone, this is what we mean,” Laporta explained. “Some can’t stand what we are, what we represent, or what we can achieve as a team.”
Rather than just having a whinge, Laporta suggested the club’s response should be to “be better” and “overcome this adversity” - though he admitted he’s absolutely fuming on the inside.
Messi tribute plans
In more positive comments, Laporta also discussed plans to honor Lionel Messi with both a statue and a tribute match “whenever they want,” acknowledging the Argentine’s immense contribution to the club.
He also touched on Barcelona’s ambition to host the 2030 World Cup final at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, though he stressed significant infrastructure work would be required beyond just completing the stadium itself.