If Real Madrid want a war, they will get a war
There is an atmosphere of maximum tension at Barça due to the toll that the 'Negreira case' is taking. And Florentino Perez's decision to urgently convene his board of directors this morning to decide what action to take following the complaint from the Public Prosecutor's Office has set off even more alarm bells. The prudent (for some, surprising) silence that the club had maintained until now because of the 'complicity' between Florentino and Laporta was understood by many as a definitive way of staying out of the conflict. Barça and Madrid have many common interests, including the Superliga, and there seemed to be a non-aggression pact. However, pressure from the club's members and the media have changed the Madrid president's strategy. And this unexpected manoeuvre (Madrid could decide today to join in the case as an affected party) could unleash a battle with unforeseeable consequences.
Because Madrid is not exactly a club that can boast of having clean hands when it comes to refereeing. History is replete with examples of how Madrid has received all kinds of help (even political) to win titles. In Spain and in Europe. You only need to remember how they won their first continental triumphs. Or how they managed to stop Di Stefano from signing for Barça... It seems that nobody remembers (or wants to remember) the dark days of NO-DO (a Franco-era state-controlled series of cinema newsreels and 'documentaries'). If Madrid makes the grave mistake of opening Pandora's box, the war will be all-out. And there may be many victims. The truth must come out. The truth of now and the truth of the past.
That all this is happening on the eve of two decisive Clasicos for the league and the cup is no coincidence. The aim is to destabilise Barça by any means necessary. Fortunately, the team is protected by Laporta and Xavi. Both the president and the coach have formed shields to prevent the controversy from affecting the squad. The Blaugrana can clinch the league title if they win both of their games this week: tonight at San Mamés against Athletic and next Sunday at the Camp Nou against a Madrid team that yesterday did not fail against Espanyol and momentarily reduced the lead Barça hold. They are two vital finals for a team that needs this League to move forward in its reconstruction project. The 'Negreira case' should not overshadow the enormous success that it would be, to be champions again.
