Spanish Superior Sports Council (CSD) President MIGUEL CARDENAL wrote on Tuesday in an "open letter" in Spanish newspaper El Pais that "Barcelona should be treated with more respect," according to Tim Hanlon of REUTERS. Cardenal's comments followed "criticism of the Catalan club for their handling of the Neymar transfer." Cardenal: "As long as there is no conviction, and we are at the very early stages of a case where no one can foresee the outcome, Barça have reason to maintain their stance that they acted within the law and met the necessary rules. They have shown themselves repeatedly to be willing to comply scrupulously with their obligations in case there has been any error. I am completely against the disproportionate response that has taken place recently. I would not be doing my job correctly if I did not speak out when an emblem that has given so much to our sport as is the case here is attacked and accused." Cardenal's decision to "publicly back Barça was questioned by CARLOS MARTINEZ GORRIARAN, spokesman for the UP and D party." Gorriaran said, "I think it is very strange that a Secretary of State decides to defend a football club that is being investigated. As a member of the government he should dedicate himself to guaranteeing the legal process" (REUTERS, 3/4). The EP reported Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) spokesperson SORAYA RODRÍGUEZ "pointed out that Barcelona is under investigation." Rodríguez "admitted that she did not read Cardenal's article but expressed her 'maximum respect' for the ongoing investigation" (EP, 3/4).
