Barcelona have said they will report Malaga president Abdullah Al-Thani to the national sports council, Spanish football federation and La Liga for comments made about the Catalan giants on social media.
The row erupted after a Barca fan sent a message to Al-Thani on Twitter, asking if Malaga could do them a favour in the title race and beat Real Madrid when the sides meet on the final day of the season.
But Al-Thani replied, in Arabic: “With the help of Allah we will beat them on the pitch, but the scum of Catalonia will not smell the championship after telling lies about coach Michel.”
Michel and Barca coach Luis Enrique have traded barbs this week after Michel gave an interview on Tuesday in which he suggested he wanted Real Madrid to win the title.
In an interview with Onda Cero, Michel was reminded of former Tenerife coach Jorge Valdano, an ex-Real Madrid player whose side delivered victories over his old club that helped Barcelona win the title in both 1992 and 1993.
Michel, who spent 20 years with Madrid as a youth and senior player, responded: “The difference between Valdano and me is that I’m much more of a Madridista.”
Barca coach Luis Enrique responded after his side’s 7-1 demolition of Osasuna on Wednesday night. Asked if he could rely on Malaga, he said: “If my grandmother had wheels, she would be a bicycle.”
But Al-Thani’s intervention has escalated matters, with a Barca statement yesterday saying his tweet would be reported to the national sporting and football authorities.
“FC Barcelona expresses its rejection and indignation at the contents of a tweet published by the president of Malaga CF, Abdullah Al-Thani, with comments which violate the principles of fair play, ethics and legality that should govern sports competition,” a club statement read.
“For this reason, the club will report this case to the anti-violence committee of the national sports council, and will refer the matter to the competition committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the La Liga integrity department.
Barcelona moved level on points with Real Madrid in the standings by beating them in El Clasico at the weekend, and both sides enjoyed handsome victories on Wednesday night when another round of matches was played..
However, Madrid have a game in hand so Barca need them to drop points somewhere in their final five matches to have a chance of retaining the title.