Laporta Responds to LaLiga's Allegations: 'They Want to Defeat Us Off the Pitch'

Joan Laporta responded to the barrage launched by LaLiga on Tuesday against the controversial VIP box sale operation at the future Camp Nou. This initiative was set in motion by the club to keep Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor registered in January and return to the 1:1 rule, allowing more flexibility in the upcoming transfer market. 'I feel this is not by chance. Today we play a final against Atlético de Madrid, and the reactivation of such controversies is no coincidence. It's another attempt to destabilise our team, and sometimes I feel that what they can't win on the pitch, they want to win in the offices,' said the president after the directors' lunch before the Copa del Rey semi-final return leg at the Metropolitano.

'As the president of Barça, I will not allow this and will continue to defend our club's interests,' Laporta continued, taking a stand. 'We will respond to LaLiga. They want to attack our interests. They approved the signings of Pau Víctor and Olmo, and now they've changed their minds. Why? Did they do a poor job from the start when they approved the operations?' questioned a director whom the Higher Sports Council (CSD) rescued in January during his worst crisis since returning to Barça's presidency.

Shaken by the opposition and threatened with a motion of no confidence that never materialised, Laporta received a lifeline when the CSD allowed Olmo and Pau Víctor to continue wearing the Barcelona jersey by granting precautionary measures just hours before Hansi Flick's team played the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Athletic. Neither player appeared in the match against the Lions, but Dani Olmo did play the last half-hour in the final against Real Madrid.

The CSD's decision was a relief for Laporta, who left a regrettable mark by making an obscene gesture in the depths of King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and further tarnished his image by hurling serious insults at the Spanish Football Federation (FEF) officials present in the box.

Now that LaLiga questions that lever, Laporta accuses the league of acting with ulterior motives. 'We see it as another attempt to harm Barcelona's interests and damage the club's image. Obviously, the club will respond through legal channels, having thoroughly studied LaLiga's document. Let there be no doubt that we will respond forcefully, as forcefully as necessary, in defence of Barcelona's interests,' he concluded.