Real Madrid Chief Florentino Perez Criticizes Barcelona and La Liga Referees
Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, recently voiced strong criticisms of both Barcelona and the officiating standards in La Liga. His remarks came during the Assembly of Representative Members meeting held on Sunday.
Criticism of La Liga Referees
Perez condemned the quality of refereeing in Spain, labeling it “unacceptable.” He pointed out that not a single one of the 35 on-field referees was selected by FIFA for international duty, calling it a disgrace.
Accusations Against Barcelona
In his address, Perez highlighted the Negreira scandal, emphasizing that Barcelona had paid over 8 million euros to the vice-president of the referees’ association over a span of 17 years. He linked this financial arrangement to Barcelona’s successful performance during that time.
Concerns Over Financial Incentives
Perez further criticized the president of La Liga, Javier Tebas, for advocating for a match to be held in Miami, suggesting that the proposal was unusual. Notably, he mentioned that even Barcelona’s captain, Frenkie de Jong, found the idea of the Miami match to be strange.
- Perez’s remarks came during the Assembly of Representative Members.
- He labeled the level of refereeing as “unacceptable.”
- Barcelona paid the vice-president of the referees’ association over 8 million euros for 17 years.
- Perez criticized the attempt to schedule a match in Miami.
- Frenkie de Jong expressed discomfort with the Miami match proposal.
Comparison with NFL
Perez drew a comparison between the proposed match and a past NFL attempt to host a game in Miami. He argued that the NFL event was legal and met competition rules, unlike the current situation with La Liga.
Through these statements, Perez underscored what he perceives as biases and shortcomings within La Liga’s governance and officiating. His comments highlight ongoing tensions among top football clubs in Spain.
