Barca chief Joan Laporta's firm message for the Clasico

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta delivered a strong message, just a few hours before the start of the Clasico between Barça and Real Madrid at Camp Nou, which could deal an almost definitive blow to La Liga.

The Blaugrana shared, through its social networks, a video of the president in which he sent a direct message to the fans. In it, Laporta asks for maximum support for the team and assures that against the "campaign" that the club is suffering from in the 'Negreira Case', "we will defend ourselves, and we will attack", and that "its objective, in the short term, is to destabilise the team, and in the medium term, to control Barça, to keep it. There will be time, and I look forward to explaining to you who, why and how they are orchestrating this campaign."

This is the full message from president Joan Laporta:

"Hello Culés. This Sunday we have a great match. Come and support the team more than ever. We have a great opportunity to get closer to our goal this season, which is to win the league. A great opportunity.

"The campaign we are suffering is not by chance, and you all know it. It aims, in the short term, to destabilise the team, and in the medium term, to control Barça, to keep them for themselves. There will be time, and I look forward to explaining to you who, why and how they are orchestrating this campaign. Have no doubt that we will defend ourselves, and not only defend ourselves, we will attack," he added.

"But now I want us to concentrate on cheering the team on Sunday. And because, as I told you, the first objective they have is to destabilise the team and we have to focus on cheering the team, our players and our coaches to win the game. I don't think we have to be there for other aspects that can divert the attention of our players from concentrating on the game to win it. I think that is fundamental, 

"So, Culés, this Sunday, come and cheer for the team more than ever. Let's cheer for Barça because we love Barça, Visca Barça!"