Real Madrid continue their preparations ahead of tonight’s league clash against Elche, a match that could determine whether they reclaim top spot in LaLiga. But away from the pitch, controversy is once again dominating Spanish football following renewed scrutiny over Barcelona’s referee payment scandal and wider league governance issues.
Barcelona reopened the iconic Camp Nou on Saturday with a commanding 4-0 win over Atlético Bilbao, moving into first place on the table pending Madrid’s result. Softfootball understands that Barça president Joan Laporta highlighted that returning to the newly renovated stadium is crucial for the club’s long-term financial stability, especially amid ongoing legal and economic pressures.
Two major concerns resurfaced today, and according to Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez did not hold back in expressing his frustration at both Barcelona’s past controversies and LaLiga’s wider decision-making. Romano posted;
Florentino Pérez: It’s NOT normal for Barcelona to pay the vice-president of the referees more than €8m over 17 years, whatever the reason. It coincides, coincidentally, with Barcelona’s best sporting period…
His comments add fuel to long-standing suspicions that Barcelona’s alleged payments to former refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira may have influenced officiating during the club’s most successful era. Softfootball understands that many in the football community believe the timing of those payments raises significant questions, especially as the scandal remains unresolved.
Still via Fabrizio Romano official X handle, Pérez also took aim at LaLiga’s commercial agreements, sharply criticizing the CVC deal that several clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, initially opposed. he said;
The agreement with CVC has made many clubs realize that losing part of their revenue for 50 years will jeopardize their future. Barcelona also opposed it… but coincidentally, they dropped the case when La Liga allowed them to register players.
Still by top journalist Fabrizio Romano X handle, the Madrid president then delivered a third pointed criticism, this time directed at LaLiga president Javier Tebas over foreign-hosted league games, he stated;
It’s not normal for the president of La Liga to promote a match outside of Spain. Even Frenkie de Jong doesn’t think it’s normal. It’s not normal La Liga support Barcelona and Villarreal, receiving extra financial incentives for playing in Miami.
These remarks reflect a growing divide between Real Madrid and LaLiga leadership, with issues of governance, transparency, and competitive integrity taking center stage once again.
Softfootball understands that these disputes are unlikely to fade anytime soon, ensuring that off-the-field tensions between Spain’s biggest institutions will continue to shape the narrative of the season.
