Former Espanyol president Joan Collet has called for an investigation into Barcelona's loss to Real Valladolid on Tuesday, hinting that his previous rivals may have intentionally lost the game.
Barca have lost both matches since being confirmed as La Liga champions, with the latest being directly related to the league's relegation battle.
Valladolid's win, thanks in part to an own goal and a penalty, sent the hosts out of the relegation zone with just a few games left this season.
Espanyol is having serious relegation problems and Collet, who served as president from 2012 to 2016, doesn't like Barca's defeat.
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"I watched the game with the peace of mind that I knew what was going to happen," he told AS. “I expected it, nothing surprised me.
"Xavi said they would win. Of course, what else was he going to say? [Result] Not only harmed one team, Espanyol, but five teams (Getafe, Cadiz, Almeria and Celta Vigo, who also struggling for relegation) Let the supporters of each team draw their own conclusions. Barca won the championship at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium on May 14 and was invaded by angry home fans.
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La Liga says the club will be punished but Collet told the federation to take a look at Barca's behaviour.
Sergio Busquets and the La Liga trophy. (Credit:
Alamy)
"The federation, who love to investigate things... if I was at Espanyol, maybe I would tell them why not watch Pucela's game," he said. "If Celta plays on the last day, the same thing will happen again. There is no doubt, and nothing can surprise us."
Barca face Mallorca on Sunday at Camp Nou ahead of a game against Celta Vigo in the final game of the season, which will have a big impact on who will play in the top flight next season.
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With so few matches, there could be a number of reasons for the club's consecutive losses. Collet, however, has his own theory. Competition will never die.
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