Drama before the Clasico: Laporta met with rival of Real Madrid president

Barcelona president Joan Laporta was documented meeting Enrique Riquelme, a former candidate for the Real Madrid presidency, hours before the Clasico. The meeting took place against the backdrop of a historic low in relations between the clubs, but without sporting significance.

Hours before the Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was documented meeting Enrique Riquelme, a businessman and former candidate for the Real Madrid presidency. The meeting took place at an annual social event held by the Catalan businessman Luis Conde. Riquelme, president of the Cox group, even tried to be photographed with Laporta. The article stresses that the meeting had no sporting significance, but it comes against the backdrop of a historic low in relations between the clubs, mainly due to Real Madrid's involvement in the legal proceedings against Barcelona in the 'Negreira case'. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez refused to attend the last Clasico at Camp Nou in protest at Barcelona's conduct. Former Barcelona president Sandro Rosell was also present at the event.