Barcelona to complain over Malaga president’s ‘Catalan scum’ tweet

Barcelona have confirmed they will take a complaint to Spain’s Anti-Violence Committee for Sport about Malaga president Abdullah Al-Thani after he tweeted “Catalan scum will not get a whiff of the title.”

Al-Thani’s comments came on Tuesday and were provoked by the reaction which had followed comments made by Malaga manager Michel, whose side host Real Madrid — Barca’s title rivals — on the final day of the season.

An official Barcelona statement read: “FC Barcelona expresses its rejection of and indignation towards the contents of a tweet published by the president of Malaga CF, Abdullah Al-Thani, with sentiments that attack the principles of fair play, of ethics and the legality that should govern sporting competition.

“For this reason the club will report this case to the Anti-Violence Committee, the Superior Council for Sport and will refer the matter to the competition committee of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Department of Integrity of La Liga.”

Al Thani had previously tweeted: “God willing [Madrid] will get beaten by us, but the Catalan scum will not get a whiff of the title after the lies they spread about Michel.”

The Malaga president was responding to the furore generated by manager Michel’s comments about the title race.

Former Madrid player Michel will welcome Zinedine Zidane’s men to La Rosaleda on the final day of the season in a match which could have consequences on the La Liga title race — Madrid and Barca both currently have 78 points.

Despite saying he would “respect the competition” and saying he “sets out to win every game,” it was some of his other comments which drew criticism.

As well as saying he hopes Madrid have the title won before the final game of the season, he said he’s a “bigger Madridista” than Jorge Valdano.

He made the comment in reference to a question about former Madrid player and manager Valdano’s Tenerife side beating Madrid in 1993 and inadvertently helping Johan Cryuff’s Barca side win the title.

The comments were construed in some sections of the Catalan press as the suggestion Malaga would lie down against Madrid if the title is still on the line, which is what drew Al-Thani’s ire.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was asked after his side’s 7-1 win over Osasuna on Wednesday if he had faith in Malaga to put up a fight if it comes down to final day.

However, as ever, he wisely steered clear of commenting, saying only: “If my grandma had wheels she wouldn’t be my grandma, she’d be a bicycle.”