FC Barcelona President Says Real Madrid Isn't 'Behaving Well' And ...

President of FC Barcelona Joan Laporta said that Nike has breached its contract and that Real Madrid ... [+] hasn't been Behaving well as of late..

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta accused the club's eternal rivals Real Madrid of not "behaving well" and stated a belief that sportswear giant Nike is in breach of contract with the Catalans during an interview with RAC1 on Friday.

Barca and Madrid have recently clashed over the Caso Negreira referee payments case and the use of VAR in Spanish football.

Asked about the conflict, Laporta said that Madrid is "not behaving well" and performing "an exercise in cynicism that is not acceptable".

"They cannot talk much about the power that governed the referees, look who they have been for 70 years or [who some of the] directors or partners of Madrid [have been].

"They are doing an exercise in cynicism that we do not accept. We spoke in the Super Cup, but we did not talk about this because it had not happened," he said of VAR controversy that emerged following Los Blancos' 3-2 comeback win over Almeria.

Reports from outlets such as SPORT have explained that Nike and Barca could be close to breaking their near 26 year relationship with Puma waiting in the wings ready to pounce.

"We have some concerns and a situation that is not what we wanted. The operation has been deteriorating, we think they have breached the contract," revealed Laporta, while pointing out that "the market' could pay Barca "double" elsewhere.

"Puma? Don't mention names. We are talking to Nike. In times of difficulty, they have not shown themselves. In words, yes. When we have shown our teeth, they have made the effort but it is not enough.

"It is at this point that we want to find the best solution. There are three options: continue with them, accept what the market gives us, or do it ourselves through BLM [Barca Licencing & Merchandising].

Asked if this meant creating a Barca brand to make the team's jerseys, Laporta confirmed: "Yes. If you see what a shirt costs and the price it is sold at... We already make our clothes."

Laporta stressed that he only accepted head coach Xavi's proposal to see out the rest of the season and step down on June 30 because of who the legendary middielder is.

He also called accusations that Laporta has helped himself to the club's funds "another falsehood".

"Obviously it is not true. We have to understand with Xavi that there is no recognition of the great work he has done to redirect the sporting situation.

"We have combined economic improvement with making a competitive team. We have supported it with our personal assets. I don't care much about what they say, I have a lot of military service [with the club]," Laporta concluded on this.