Official statement

In relation to the note published by FC Barcelona, LALIGA wishes to express its total disagreement with the accusation regarding an alleged breach of the duty of confidentiality due to the dissemination, by this institution, of the press release referred to by FC Barcelona.

The duty of confidentiality established in Article 5 of the Rules for Budget Preparation (NEP) cannot be understood as absolute or unconditional. In particular, it must give way when circumstances justify the limited disclosure of certain information in order to safeguard higher principles or legal interests, such as the right to honour, associative transparency, and the integrity of the competition.

The attention generated in the media and public opinion by FC Barcelona’s operations relating to VIP Boxes, and their analysis by LALIGA, is significant, with an abundance of inaccurate reports and statements that unjustifiably questioned LALIGA’s proper conduct. Had the press release not been issued, such statements would have gone unanswered.

LALIGA’s communication was limited to including general information, without identifying specific individuals or revealing any detail beyond what was strictly necessary to explain the actions of the institution’s competent bodies, justify the basis of their resolutions, and record that the obligations established by the Sports Law and LALIGA’s internal regulations have been fulfilled.

Moreover, LALIGA’s note did not contain information that had not already been disseminated by various media outlets, and therefore, its content can hardly be considered confidential.

Actions have therefore been taken in accordance with the principles of necessity and proportionality, without revealing personal data or confidential information whose disclosure was not essential to achieve the legitimate aim pursued, which is none other than to defend the institution’s good name.

In order to avoid formal controversies that could divert attention from the underlying issue – an issue that LALIGA considers very concerning – the aforementioned press release has been withdrawn. It is expressly stated that this does not imply any acknowledgment of irregularity in its content.

Finally, regarding the make-up of LALIGA’s management bodies, without prejudice to the assessments that its members may freely make in a political or associative sense, the legal effects of any statement are determined by what is expressly provided in the Bylaws and General Regulations of LALIGA, the only texts governing the operation of the association and its governing bodies.