In an appearance that lasted more than ninety minutes and focused on the controversial Dani Olmo situation, FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta used the occasion to take aim at the club’s detractors. “They had the chance to demonstrate their passion for Barça, but they lost it. “They supported groups that aimed to undermine us,” the 62-year-old said during a press conference Tuesday that went on for longer than a football game.
Professional footballers Olmo and Pau Victor had been refused registration by the Spanish Football League and the Federation because of the league’s economic regulations and the club’s financial predicament. The players are now available thanks to a ruling from Spain’s Supreme Sports Council.
According to Laporta, the club paid 100 million euros for 475 VIP seats in the renovated Camp Nou, where they intend to return as soon as possible, in order to guarantee the two players’ playing eligibility. Of this sum, 70 million euros came from the United Arab Emirates, and 30 million euros came from a Qatari investment fund.
The goal, according to Laporta, was to repel assaults from both the club’s interior and exterior. “Does anyone believe that I would resign due to a decision from laliga or the RFEF?” He made it clear that supporting FC Barcelona was more important than supporting him during this time. Laporta said, “Poor Barça if it falls into their hands,” in a scathing speech to some authorities. The 62-year-old denied rumors that he made offensive remarks to referees during the team’s 5:2 triumph over Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup final in Jeddah.
