Relations between FC Barcelona and La Liga have been tense for some while now. The two entities have spat publicly and in closed meetings over a number of issues in the recent few months.
Barcelona’s association with the European Super League project has been one of the major points of disagreement between these organizations. Other aspects like conformance with FFP and the Negreira case have also soured relations further.
Barcelona’s finances and relationship with Laporta
As SPORT has reported, the La Liga President, Javier Tebas, recently appeared in an interview where he touched upon different aspects of FC Barcelona. Tebas acknowledged that Barcelona have improved their finances but argued they will have to do even more:
“It has improved quite a bit. They have made an effort in their salary structure. I think they still need to make an effort for the next season, but they have managed to bring in good players. They have to make some changes to be able to make signings.”
Tebas was clear that Barcelona would not be able to sign new players in the upcoming summer window unless they can sell some of their existing players:
“It will depend on whether there are player departures, if there are savings, they can make new additions.”
The league President also shared that his relationship with Joan Laporta has improved: “We have spoken, and some misunderstandings have been smoothed out.” However, he was not happy with one particular decision of Laporta, remaining in the European Super League:
“I don’t understand it, but I’m not any more or less upset with Barcelona. It’s a decision I can’t respect because the Super League does a lot of harm to national leagues, but they believe it’s the most appropriate for their club.”
Negreira Case
Lastly, Tebas also commented extensively on the Negreira case and expressed he would have asked for a disciplinary sanction if it was in his hands:
“Simply attempting to influence the refereeing is already a sports corruption offense, as the investigating judge recently stated in a court order. The appropriate disciplinary proceedings should have been opened, and the Liga’s social discipline judge should have made the corresponding decision within our statutory framework, ranging from a warning to relegation, depending on the severity.”
Tebas went on to claim that he would not have hesitated even to relegate Barcelona even if that sanction was decided by the judges:
“If that’s what the social disciplinary judge decided. The president doesn’t decide relegation, just as he didn’t decide the relegation of Elche or Guadalajara. Personally, I would have argued that these actions warranted a disciplinary penalty.”
However, the case is still in contention and Tebas refrained from predicting an outcome and mentioned a possibility where Barcelona can avoid sanctions and its officials face the brunt of the matter instead:
“There is a long investigative process ahead, but some behaviors are inexplicable. I don’t know if there will be consequences for Barcelona. We’ve already seen with Osasuna that there were sanctions against their executives and not the club. Something similar could happen, or they could all end up being acquitted, but explanations will have to be provided for many behaviors.”
Thus, while Tebas mentions that his relationship with Laporta has improved, everything is not well at La Liga. Barcelona still have several matters open with the league authorities, which can have long-term implications for the club.
