Real Madrid’s social media post explained as La Liga champions continue bitter feud with Barcelona – Inside Europe

Barcelona club president Joan Laporta has taken a dig at Real Madrid, calling them a “team of the regime” under former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco that have been historically favoured by referees.

But Laporta took the opportunity to put Real Madrid under the spotlight, suggesting Los Blancos benefitted from “favouritism” during Franco’s 36-year reign between 1939-1975.

Madrid hit back at Laporta’s comments with a captionless post on social media on Monday; a four minute video in which they ask “which is the team of the regime?” and attempted to illustrate how Barcelona were a custodian of the dictator.

Eurosport Spain’s Felix Martin has been in touch to explain the significance behind Real Madrid’s response.

What did Laporta say in his press conference? What is the video and why is it significant?

“Laporta gave a press conference yesterday (60 days later), to explain the case of Barcelona’s payments to Negreira, who was the president of the Referees’ Committee,” Martin explained.

“Laporta, perhaps as a communication strategy, and to divert attention, made a statement that has been very viral saying that Real Madrid was the main favoured team during the Franco regime, something to which Madrid responded with the video on social media.

“The post has reflected in some way the open war that exists today between Real Madrid and Barcelona with the case of Negreira and that has now been staged in the exchange of statements about which team was more favoured during the Franco regime.”

What does it say about Barcelona?

“It explains, from a Real Madrid perspective, the reasons why they believe Barcelona was the most favoured team during the Franco regime, saying that Franco opened the Camp Nou and saved Barcelona from bankruptcy up to three times.”

What has the reaction been in Spain?

“I think Laporta’s strategy has had an effect, because instead of talking about the ridiculous press conference in which he explained absolutely nothing, today the media echoes the war between one club and another to see which team was more favoured during the Franco regime.”

It took Real Madrid 15 years to win a league title during Franco’s regime.

During the 36 years of his dictatorship, Real Madrid won 14 league titles compared to Barcelona’s eight, Atletico Madrid won seven, Valencia won four, and the remaining three were achieved by Sevilla and Athletic Club.

Between 1940 and 1975, Real Madrid won the Spanish domestic cup six times, Athletic Club and Barcelona both won it nine times, and Atletico Madrid were victorious on five occasions.

“Everyone knows that Real Madrid is a club historically favoured by refereeing mistakes,” Laporta said in a stunning 35-minute speech.

“For seven decades the presidents of the referees have been ex-Madrid members, ex-players or ex-managers, sometimes all at the same time! For Madrid to add their name to the lawsuit is an unprecedented exercise in cynicism.

“Real Madrid say they feel they have been wronged. A club that has been favoured by refereeing decisions historically and now too.

“For whatever reasons. It has been considered the team of the regime.”

During the speech, Laporta repeatedly insisted that Barcelona had done nothing wrong, and accused Madrid and La Liga president Javier Tebas of having ulterior motives for adding their weight to the prosecution against the Catalan club.

“Barcelona has never carried out any action with the aim or intention of adulterating the competition in order to gain a sporting advantage,” he explained.

“The tax authorities have not been able to prove that the payments made could have affected any result. And they have not been able to prove it because it was not possible.”

He added: “It is not criminally illegal to pay for advice. We did it with clarity and transparency. There are invoices that have been recorded in the club’s accounts.

“The invoices are itemised by bank transfer and are documented in the club’s accounts.

“There has been no intention to hide anything.”