Barcelona President Joan Laporta has passionately defended his club, claiming they have been unjustly attacked while dealing with the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. Speaking out for the first time since the club was allowed to register the two players, Laporta denounced what he called a “lynching” and emphasized that Barcelona was now back to meeting La Liga’s financial fair play regulations, notably adhering to the 1:1 rule.
According to Laporta, the club has complied with all necessary rules and has secured the necessary financial backing to operate under normal conditions, allowing them to sign players like Olmo and Víctor. Here’s a closer look at his comments and the situation.
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A Battle Against Unfair Expectations
Laporta began by outlining the difficulties Barcelona faced during the registration process, particularly with the unexpected demands made by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The club presented all necessary documentation on time but was required to provide additional proofs that Laporta felt were not clearly outlined in the regulations.
“We presented it to the league on 27 December: we sent it within the deadline, before the end of the year. The thing is, on the 28, 29, 30, and 31, the league asked us to complete documentation. We thought we had complied with the rules on 31 December. The league asked for some additional requisites that, in our opinion, are not in the regulation.”
Laporta argued that these additional demands, including proving the deposit of funds, were not consistently applied across all clubs and were an unnecessary obstacle for Barcelona.
Barcelona Returns to the 1:1 Rule
One of the most significant points Laporta made was the club’s achievement in finally complying with La Liga’s financial fair play regulations, specifically the 1:1 rule. This compliance, he asserted, means that Barcelona can now sign players without the need for temporary measures or special exceptions, bringing the club back to normal operational status.
“Two key facts have happened in the last two weeks which make a lie of the false, apocalyptic narrative that comes from a lack of knowledge or bad faith,” Laporta said. “The first is that we have reached 1:1 [compliance] with La Liga’s financial fair play, which allows us to sign normally, [including] players like Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.”
He also pointed out that securing major partnerships, such as the deal with Nike—the best sportswear contract in football—further discredits claims that Barcelona is poorly managed. With companies like Spotify also backing the club, Laporta made it clear that the narrative of Barcelona being in financial disarray was far from the truth.
External Attacks and Internal Struggles
Throughout his address, Laporta referenced the external pressures Barcelona has faced, including media narratives and criticism from opposition groups. He likened these attacks to a “lynching” and emphasized that they were part of a broader strategy to destabilize the club as it began to recover from its financial struggles.
“The fans understood that this was about saving Barcelona from a complicated situation and defend it from attacks from outside and in some cases from inside,” Laporta said. “Nothing in the last few weeks has surprised us. If you look at our history, you could foresee this reaction.”
Laporta also rebuffed calls for his resignation, claiming that those who had criticized him had missed an opportunity to support the club during its difficult period. “You think I should resign because of a decision made by the RFEF and the league?!”
The Timing of the Registration Process
Laporta provided further clarification on the registration process, emphasizing that the club had met all of the requirements by the December 31 deadline. The final obstacle was the deposit of funds required by La Liga, which Barcelona was only able to finalize on December 30, making the full documentation available on January 3.
“Imagine trying to get an auditors’ report on 31 December. On 31 December it was all handed in. All that was left to present was part of the minimum deposit the league was asking for to comply with fair play,” Laporta said. He continued to argue that the league’s demand for a 40% deposit was an unreasonable burden that was not imposed on other clubs, thus creating an imbalance in the process.
Clearing the Air Over Controversial Incident
Laporta also addressed the controversy surrounding his actions before the Super Cup semi-final, where he was filmed making an exaggerated gesture of frustration. The footage had led to accusations of him insulting RFEF officials, but Laporta denied any wrongdoing. He described his actions as a reaction of “contained euphoria” stemming from the intense pressure the club was under.
“I had a reaction but I didn’t insult anyone, I didn’t grab anyone round the neck, I didn’t kick the furniture. It was euphoria and in part indignation,” Laporta explained. He added that he later clarified the situation with the president of the RFEF, clearing up any misunderstandings.
Laporta’s defense paints a picture of a club that has been under immense pressure both externally and internally, but one that is now on a path to financial recovery. The achievement of returning to the 1:1 compliance with La Liga is a significant milestone for Barcelona, allowing them to operate under the usual financial conditions once again. As Laporta said, “They will have to work a lot harder to destabilise a club with 125 years of history.” Barcelona, it seems, is ready to face the challenges ahead with renewed confidence and determination.
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FAQs
Why did Barcelona president Joan Laporta defend the club’s actions regarding Dani Olmo’s registration?
Laporta defended Barcelona after claims that the club failed to meet La Liga’s requirements, arguing they had complied with all necessary documentation and were unfairly targeted with unexpected demands from the league and football federation.
What is the significance of Barcelona returning to the 1:1 rule?
By achieving compliance with La Liga’s 1:1 financial fair play rule, Barcelona can now sign players like Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor without the need for temporary measures, signaling the club’s return to normal financial operations.
What triggered Joan Laporta’s defense of Barcelona?
Laporta felt the club was unjustly attacked by both external critics and internal opposition, accusing them of creating false narratives about Barcelona’s financial state as the club worked towards meeting the 1:1 rule.
How did Barcelona meet La Liga’s financial fair play requirements?
Barcelona reached 1:1 compliance by securing key investments, such as the sale of VIP boxes and a new contract with Nike, which allowed the club to meet the salary cap regulations.
Did Joan Laporta insult the Spanish football federation?
Laporta denied insulting federation members, clarifying that a controversial gesture before a Super Cup match was an emotional reaction to the club’s struggles, not aimed at any individual.
