Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces bombing the Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect
The Kremlin: Negotiations toward a settlement in Ukraine are currently at a complete standstill
Abu Mujahid: The steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the Resistance thwarted the displacement plan and allowed us to secure the best possible terms in an agreement to halt the genocidal war
Abu Mujahid: We salute whosoever made sacrifices in support of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the martyred Sayyed Nasrallah and Sayyed Safieddine, as well as the people of Yemen and Iran
Abu Mujahid, head of the media office of the Popular Resistance Committees, to Al Mayadeen: The people of Gaza have sacrificed and given their most precious offerings for the Al-Aqsa Flood
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli artillery shelling targeted Khan Younis and the al-Bureij and al-Maghazi refugee camps
Captives may be released as early as Saturday and by Monday at the latest: Source briefed on the details of the agreement.
Netanyahu set to convene security cabinet at 1500 (1200GMT) and government at 1600 (1300GMT) to approve the deal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement
Within the first 24 hours, the Israeli military will complete the first phase of partial withdrawal: Source briefed on the details of the agreement

Barcelona President Laporta insists club never bought referees

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Mar 2023 23:40
2 Min Read

Barcelona President Joan Laporta says there is a campaign to damage the club's interests.

  • x
  • Barcelona president Joan Laporta (REUTERS)
    Barcelona president Joan Laporta (Reuters)

Barcelona President Joan Laporta on Tuesday insisted that his club has never "bought referees" amid investigations into payments made to a former refereeing chief over several years.

The Catalan side paid a reported 6.5 million euros ($6.9 million) between 2001 and 2018 to a company owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) in Spain, for what they said was advice on refereeing matters.

Spanish prosecutors are investigating the payments and Spanish newspaper El Pais said on Tuesday it intends to report Barcelona for "continued sporting corruption."

"Let it be clear Barca have never bought referees and Barca have never had the intention of buying referees, absolutely never," stressed Laporta at an event in Barcelona.

Related News

Osasuna fans call for expelling 'Israel' from FIFA, UEFA

Real Madrid take their 36th La Liga title home

He pointed out that "the forcefulness of the facts contradicts those who try to change the story. We are doing well again -- nothing is chance."

Laporta previously criticized La Liga President Javier Tebas for "pushing a campaign" against him and hinted at it again, saying, "There is a campaign to damage Barça's interests."

He continued, "It is a campaign aimed at controlling the club. La Liga does not accept that Barça did not sign the contract with CVC (a collective media rights deal)."

Elsewhere, Laporta revealed that he was considering offering coach Xavi Hernandez a contract extension, with the team currently nine points clear at the top of La Liga, on course for their first league title since 2019. Xavi's existing deal expires in June 2024.

"He's a man who doesn't stretch his arm out beyond his sleeve, he doesn't ask for crazy things and he understands the club's (financial) situation, I have considered Xavi's renewal," the Barcelona president said.

Read more: Barcelona secure 14th Super Cup after defeating Real Madrid

  • La Liga
  • Sports
  • Spain
  • football
  • Joan Laporta
  • Barcelona

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Mistrust paralyzes Washington as shutdown drags on for 9th day

Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s military power in Caribbean
Politics

Senate rejects bid to curb Trump’s military power in Caribbean

ap
Politics

UN to slash peacekeeping operations as US funding cuts take effect

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, right, applauds after delivering a speech at the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Politics

Spain passes decree formalizing full arms embargo on 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS