Scandal in Barcelona: President Laporta demanded coach Xavi to include three players

Barcelona are not in a good moment. The level of the team during the last weeks has been far from expectations and the results in some important matches have been disappointing. In La Liga they lost the 'Clasico' against Real Madrid and last Sunday against Girona, the leaders. This caused them to be far away from the top of the standings.

In the Champions League they also suffered an unexpected defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk. However, this did not complicate their situation in Group H, as they still qualified for the round of 16 and remain at the top of the standings. But first place is not yet assured.

For that they need a win or a draw in Belgium on Wednesday, when they face Royal Antwerp. And it is also very likely that with a defeat they will also remain at the top, as they have the advantage over Porto for having won the two matches in which they met, and over Shakhtar Donetsk, on goal difference.

That is why coach Xavi Hernandez had initially decided not to call up some of the squad's stars, such as Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gundogan and Ronald Araujo, to avoid them having to make a tiring trip to Belgium. However, at the last minute, the three players were included in the squad list, causing surprise among the press and fans.

What happened?

Although the explanation was that for logistical reasons the Barcelona squad would not be returning immediately from Belgium and therefore it was convenient for all players to travel, journalist Joan Maria Pou gave another version. "I can confirm that Joan Laporta asked Xavi Hernandez to change the call-up," he said on RAC1. What is not clear is why the club president was so keen for those three players to travel to Belgium for a game in which the team would most likely not need them.