As the La Liga season approaches its climax, debate around the customary guard of honour for the champions has intensified in the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry.
Real's 1–1 draw with Girona has largely ended their title hopes, reigniting discussion about whether Madrid will honor Barcelona if the latter claims the title. Journalist Guillem Borras Pérez suggested that a guard of honour could happen if Real falters in its remaining matches and Barcelona wins all theirs.
However, Deportivo Central, aligned with Real Madrid, condemned the idea as a “scandal” and disrespect towards fair competition. Real Madrid criticizes Barcelona’s involvement in the ongoing Negreira case, concerning suspicious payments to former referees’ committee vice-chair Enric Negreira, which ceased after his departure.
Real is demanding a thorough investigation and stricter referee appointments to exclude those linked to the controversy. Barcelona counters that these allegations are part of a strategic campaign and maintains the payments were legitimate consultancy fees.
The dispute reflects strained ties, making a traditional guard of honour unlikely at Camp Nou. While Real pushes for a swift resolution to protect Spanish football’s integrity, Barcelona aims to secure the league title and pressurize their rivals.
Ultimately, the outcome of the Negreira case holds significant sway over the upcoming El Clásico's atmosphere and the clubs’ future relations.
