Barcelona threaten criminal complaint over ‘slanderous and offensive’ comments from Real Madrid president

Barcelona have threatened to make a criminal complaint against Real Madrid president Florentino Perez for ‘slanderous comments’.

Perez held an extraordinary press conference last month, in which he argued with the media and called for elections at Madrid.

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He also took aim at their arch-rivals Barcelona, regarding the Negreira case, the ongoing corruption investigation regarding refereeing.

Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the ex-vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees, was paid around £6million during his tenure.

Barcelona say they made the payments to whom they deemed to be an ‘external consultant’ for scouting reports on referees.

What did Florentino Perez say about Barcelona?

“It’s a case that remains unresolved and is still ongoing,” Perez said in his press conference.

“Because it’s not just Madrid that’s harmed and Barca that’s benefited, although Barca has always benefited.”

Barcelona released a statement shortly after to say that they were ‘carefully examining his declarations and accusations’.

Barca have now confirmed that they will file a criminal complaint if Perez does not retract his statements.

“FC Barcelona informs that, on this day, the mandatory conciliation claim prior to the filing of a criminal complaint for an offence of slander under Article 205 of the Penal Code has been submitted against the President of Real Madrid, Mr. Florentino Perez, as a result of the statements made by him at the press conference held on 12 May and in an interview with a media outlet the following day.

“The purpose of this claim is for Mr. Perez to retract certain statements that he made with knowledge of their falsity and which are slanderous and offensive to the image and reputation of the Club.

“Should this claim not be duly addressed, FC Barcelona will proceed with the filing of the corresponding criminal complaint.”

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Mad summer in Madrid

Perez has had two spells as Madrid president – firstly from 2000 to 2006, and second since 2009 to the present day.

Madrid have not won a LaLiga or Champions League title throughout the past two seasons.

In order not to slip further behind Barcelona, Perez has been keen to sign the club’s latest Galactico, with Julian Alvarez being the target.

However, Atletico Madrid have rejected a whopping €150m offer for the former Manchester City forward.

This was way below Alvarez’s release fee of a staggering €500m.

Atletico then released a statement to claim that they were laughing at their city rivals and would not consider an offer for the Argentine.

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On a more positive note for Madrid, they have announced the return of Jose Mourinho as manager.

The legendary Portuguese coach has joined on a three-year contract after a €15m compensation fee was paid to Benfica.