Laporta backs La Liga chief and accuses Real Madrid of attacking the league

Barcelona president Joan Laporta backed La Liga chief Javier Tebas as he spoke to reporters before Barcelona’s match against Betis.

Real Madrid has criticized referees this season and called for Tebas to step down after he compared the club’s management with Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels.

Laporta said Madrid’s attacks risk damaging La Liga and its refereeing committee, and said Tebas had the experience to respond.

The dispute comes amid wider tensions between the Spanish rivals, including their disagreement over the Negreira case, an investigation into payments by Barcelona to a company owned by a former refereeing official.

Barcelona denies wrongdoing, and Laporta has said he expects the club to be acquitted.

Barcelona are due to host Real Madrid in a league Clásico next week, after their game against Betis.