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Football Insider

A fiery clash! Joan Laporta criticizes Real Madrid's stoppage-time winner and takes aim at rival candidate Victor Font

Barcelona president Joan Laporta sparks controversy with scathing comments on Real Madrid's victory over Celta Vigo and opponent Victor Font ahead of the club's presidential elections.

A fiery clash! Joan Laporta criticizes Real Madrid's stoppage-time winner and takes aim at rival candidate Victor Font

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has reignited the fiery rivalry between Spain’s two biggest heavyweights, launching a stinging attack on Real Madrid following their dramatic victory over Celta Vigo. Speaking at a campaign event, the Blaugrana chief questioned the legitimacy of Los Blancos' winning strike, suggesting that the capital club continues to benefit from favourable officiating and sheer fortune while his own side is held to a different standard.The controversy stems from a late Federico Valverde goal that secured a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid against Celta Vigo on Friday. Laporta insisted the strike should have been overturned for a foul in the build-up, citing it as an example of the kind of preferential treatment Madrid have historically received from referees.Laporta did not hold back when discussing the climax of Madrid's recent outing, claiming a similar goal for Barcelona would have been scrubbed off. He stated: “They had their historical luck, but that goal should have been disallowed for a previous foul. A foul would have been whistled against us; it already happened to us at Anoeta.” This was a reference to Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat against Real Sociedad last January.Suggesting systemic advantages, he added: “It's always the same at Real Madrid. When they're in trouble, they either get help from the referees or something happens... They're given a bit of luck."Laporta is on the campaign trail ahead of Barcelona's presidential elections taking place next week. Turning his sights on his main opponent, Victor Font, Laporta framed the election as a choice between genuine leadership and a detached, data-driven approach. He warned members against Font’s methodology, claiming: “The only risk that Barca’s sporting project has is Victor Font. He has Barca on a computer. We cannot leave Barca in his hands.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingLaporta also criticised Font’s stance on the Negreira legal battle, labelling the challenger’s refusal to change his position as a sign of stubbornness. Font said that his vision for Barcelona "contrasts sharply with the Barça we've had for decades. The Barca of opacity, of lack of transparency, the Barca of Negreira, of the Neymar case, of Bartogate." Laporta responded: “Not retracting is obtuse, stubborn,” finishing with a final warning: “He should stop peddling nonsense and creating a climate of confusion. We cannot have another theorist leading us to ruin.”

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Laporta questions Real Madrid's late winner

Barcelona president Joan Laporta did not mince words as he lashed out at Real Madrid's dramatic win over Celta Vigo, citing officiating controversies and historical bias in favor of the capital club.

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The controversy over Valverde's goal

Laporta raised doubts about the validity of Federico Valverde's late goal that sealed the victory for Madrid, alleging a missed foul in the build-up and emphasizing a double standard in refereeing decisions between the two Spanish giants.

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Accusations of preferential treatment

Suggesting a pattern of referees favoring Real Madrid in critical moments, Laporta criticized what he perceived as systemic advantages enjoyed by the rival club, warning that comparable situations for Barcelona would not have been allowed.

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Campaign rhetoric escalates

In the lead-up to Barcelona's upcoming presidential elections, Laporta directed his ire towards main contender Victor Font, portraying the race as a battle between authentic leadership and a detached, data-driven approach.

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Laporta's critique of Font's stance

Laporta took a swipe at Font's handling of issues such as the Negreira legal battle, branding his opponent's rigidity as a display of obstinacy and calling into question the challenger's vision for the club.

Published on Mar 7, 2026