Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez claims Real Madrid are “conditioning” Spanish referees to make decisions that suit them.
Xavi has previously stated that La Liga officials were favoring Real Madrid and as such, the league champions cannot compete with them in the race for the league crown.
Xavi Hernandez, who is expected to quit Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 season has further stretched these claims once again.
However, the Spanish tactician acknowledges that the Negreira case still hanging on the neck of the Blaugrana side hasn't helped their plight.
Speaking in a recent interview, Xavi Hernandez claimed that he concurs with the assertions of Barcelona president, Joan Laporta regarding how Real Madrid are influencing the decisions of referees.
The 44-year-old said: “I already said that I don’t like that they [Madrid] condition the referees, but they continue to do it every week. The referees are going to whistle-conditioned.”
Concerning the Negreira case and how it hasn't helped matters, Xavi said: “The ‘Negreira case’ hasn’t helped us either, but that’s what we have to compete with.
“I agree one hundred percent with the president’s words. It’s a reality and we can’t deceive Barcelona fans.”
The Blaugrana side sit 4th on the Spanish La Liga table, with 44 points from 21 matches, 11 points away from league-leaders Girona, who have claimed 55 points this campaign from 22 games.
Xavi Hernandez's side have crashed out of the Copa del Rey, and they also lost out embarrassingly to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Their best shot at silverware this campaign looks to be the UEFA Champions League and they have the Napoli to surmount in the Round of 16.
The 2023/24 season has been full of thorns than roses for the Spanish side, with the team failing to reach the heights expected of them.
Having won the La Liga for the 2022/23 season, fans were expecting an improvement in their performance and fortunes, unfortunately, they have nose-dived significantly.
This statement from Xavi Hernandez might be looked at as an assertion made by one who is sulking and it might also have some elements of truth to it.
Real Madrid have gotten several favorable calls this campaign, which has brought the spotlight on the Spanish giants on a couple of occasions, however, it is uncertain if it's through their influence or just a situation of bad officiating.
Anyway, Barcelona return to league action on Saturday, February 3, 2024, facing Deportivo Alaves and they will be hoping to return to secure all 3 points from the encounter.
As aforementioned, manager Hernandez has opted to quit the Catalan-based club at the end of the campaign, as he feels he doesn't have the capabilities to propel the club forward.
*What is the Negreira case?*
The Negreira case is a scandal involving Barcelona and former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
This scandal is regarding the payment of €7 million made by the Blaugrana side to Negreira from 2000 to 2018 during his tenure as second in command of the Technical Committee of Referees.
Subsequently, Barcelona came out to squash those reports, claiming they hired Jose Maria Negreira as an “external consultant” who provided the club reports “related to professional refereeing”.
Negreira also dismissed reports that he was bribed to favor Barcelona with regards to refereeing decisions.
Xavi has previously stated that La Liga officials were favoring Real Madrid and as such, the league champions cannot compete with them in the race for the league crown.
Xavi Hernandez, who is expected to quit Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 season has further stretched these claims once again.
However, the Spanish tactician acknowledges that the Negreira case still hanging on the neck of the Blaugrana side hasn't helped their plight.
Speaking in a recent interview, Xavi Hernandez claimed that he concurs with the assertions of Barcelona president, Joan Laporta regarding how Real Madrid are influencing the decisions of referees.
The 44-year-old said: “I already said that I don’t like that they [Madrid] condition the referees, but they continue to do it every week. The referees are going to whistle-conditioned.”
Concerning the Negreira case and how it hasn't helped matters, Xavi said: “The ‘Negreira case’ hasn’t helped us either, but that’s what we have to compete with.
“I agree one hundred percent with the president’s words. It’s a reality and we can’t deceive Barcelona fans.”
The Blaugrana side sit 4th on the Spanish La Liga table, with 44 points from 21 matches, 11 points away from league-leaders Girona, who have claimed 55 points this campaign from 22 games.
Xavi Hernandez's side have crashed out of the Copa del Rey, and they also lost out embarrassingly to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Their best shot at silverware this campaign looks to be the UEFA Champions League and they have the Napoli to surmount in the Round of 16.
The 2023/24 season has been full of thorns than roses for the Spanish side, with the team failing to reach the heights expected of them.
Having won the La Liga for the 2022/23 season, fans were expecting an improvement in their performance and fortunes, unfortunately, they have nose-dived significantly.
This statement from Xavi Hernandez might be looked at as an assertion made by one who is sulking and it might also have some elements of truth to it.
Real Madrid have gotten several favorable calls this campaign, which has brought the spotlight on the Spanish giants on a couple of occasions, however, it is uncertain if it's through their influence or just a situation of bad officiating.
Anyway, Barcelona return to league action on Saturday, February 3, 2024, facing Deportivo Alaves and they will be hoping to return to secure all 3 points from the encounter.
As aforementioned, manager Hernandez has opted to quit the Catalan-based club at the end of the campaign, as he feels he doesn't have the capabilities to propel the club forward.
*What is the Negreira case?*
The Negreira case is a scandal involving Barcelona and former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
This scandal is regarding the payment of €7 million made by the Blaugrana side to Negreira from 2000 to 2018 during his tenure as second in command of the Technical Committee of Referees.
Subsequently, Barcelona came out to squash those reports, claiming they hired Jose Maria Negreira as an “external consultant” who provided the club reports “related to professional refereeing”.
Negreira also dismissed reports that he was bribed to favor Barcelona with regards to refereeing decisions.