Barcelona adviser rejects Mourinho claims before Clasico

Enric Masip, an adviser to Joan Laporta, responded to Jose Mourinho's remarks about Barcelona and the Negreira case before Sunday's Clasico. Masip dismissed Mourinho's suggestions as laughable and said Guardiola's Barcelona won fairly. He also argued that Arda Guler should have been sent off for an elbow in Real Madrid's match against Sevilla.

Enric Masip, an adviser to Joan Laporta, pushed back on Jose Mourinho’s pre-Clasico comments. Mourinho, back at Real Madrid since the summer, has repeatedly referenced the Negreira case and criticized officiating. Masip said suggestions that Pep Guardiola’s successful Barcelona side needed outside help make no sense, arguing that Mourinho’s teams were simply outplayed.

Masip also questioned officiating consistency, saying Arda Guler should have been dismissed for an elbow on Peque in Real Madrid’s match with Sevilla. He cited prior Barcelona goals at the Bernabeu where a camera angle was unavailable, and said errors should be accepted without prolonged complaints. Mourinho, meanwhile, had complained about having less rest than Barcelona after beating RB Leipzig in midweek.