Real Madrid TV criticized Barcelona, referencing the Negreira case, in response to Xavi’s complaints about La Liga officials.

The recent exchange of comments between Real Madrid’s in-house media and Barcelona’s manager, Xavi, has put a spotlight on the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding La Liga officiating. The criticism from Madrid’s media outlet, directed at Xavi’s dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions in a recent match, underscores the intensity of the rivalry between these two football giants.

Xavi’s vocal discontent with the refereeing decisions that seemed to favor Real Madrid has ignited a war of words, with Madrid’s media channel not holding back in their response. By referencing the so-called “Caso Negreira”, which involves allegations against Barcelona related to payments to a refereeing official, the contentious atmosphere surrounding these clubs extends beyond the confines of the pitch.

Real Madrid attacks Xavi, following the coach’s statements yesterday about the Almería-Real Madrid game:

“Over the course of 20 years, Barcelona have been paying the Vice President of the Referees Committee, more than 600 matches that Xavi played as a Barcelona player. Those 600 matches are all suspicious.”

“Both Real Madrid and Real Madrid TV have been very respectful at all times with the Negreira case.”

“We are not saying that, the club was accused of that and during the period in which Xavi was a Barcelona player… Real Madrid respected the case, but the judge, in his own words, considered it stupid that Barcelona paid this much for nothing.”

The intricate web of allegations, investigations, and denials in the Negreira case adds a layer of complexity to the already intense sporting rivalry. As Barcelona continues to grapple with both on-field challenges and off-field controversies, the upcoming Copa del Rey match against Athletic Club presents an opportunity for the team to shift the focus back to their performance amidst a backdrop of compelling narratives.

The high-stakes nature of football in La Liga, coupled with the long-standing history and fierce competition between Real Madrid and Barcelona, ensures that any exchange of words or actions reflects a deeper undercurrent of sporting, tactical, and sometimes controversial dynamics. The forthcoming matches and public statements from both sides will continue to shape the narrative of this enduring rivalry.