FC Barcelona News: 11 July 2012; Barça Disappointed by Jose Mourinho's Pardon

Toni Freixa: "The pardon doesn’t make the aggressor innocent" | LFP
"In the first place, we took a number of actions (prior to the meeting) including a phone call to the Federation, and we explained our point of view. However, it was yesterday in particular that president Rosell expressed our disagreement with the measure to the members of the management committee. He even suggested that a pardon should only be available in the cases of punishments related incidents on the pitch, as aggression can never go unpunished".

Laporta blasts RFEF decision to lift Mourinho ban | LFP
Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has criticised the decision made by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to revoke Jose Mourinho's ban ahead of the 2012-13 Supercopa. "It is clear to me that Mourinho is the assailant, but the rules say that there may be a pardon, and we must respect them," Laporta told Catalunya Radio.

Butragueno applauds Supercopa bans removal | Goal
Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno has called on Barcelona to accept the decision of the Spanish Football Fedeation (RFEF) to lift the Supercopa bans of Jose Mourinho and Tito Vilanova. "We have always been very respectful with regards to such decisions," he told reporters.

Last three starts against Real Sociedad ended in title success | FCBarcelona
Playing Real Sociedad in the first game seems to be a good omen for Barça. In the last quarter of a century, every time they have played the side from San Sebastian on the opening day, 1991/92, 1993/94 and 1997/98, the club has gone on to win the title.

Three home games in a row | FCBarcelona
The fixture list has made the Camp Nou the place to be at the start of the season. It will be the venue for the first two official FCB games of the season (Liga and Spanish Supercup) with the Joan Gamper Trophy in between. All that in just five or six days between August 18 and 19 and August 23.

The first "Clásico" on 7th October | FCBarcelona
The 2012/13 league fixtures between Barça and Real Madrid will take place in the Camp Nou on the weekend of 6th and 7th October and in the Bernabeu on the weekend of 2nd and 3rd March (match day 26). Unlike previous seasons, both matches come early on in the season.

Real Madrid charge fans €311 to watch open training session | LFP
Real Madrid are charging fans in the United States of America up to €311 to watch the Spanish champions train on their pre-season tour. The Santiago Bernabeu club are preparing for their defence of the Liga title, and are hosting an hour-and-a-half open training session in Los Angeles on August 4.

Leverkusen land Real youngster | ESPN
Bayer Leverkusen have announced the signing of defender Daniel Carvajal from Real Madrid on a five-year deal. Carvajal, 20, joins Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee after struggling for first-team opportunities at Madrid.

Swansea City sign Villarreal midfielder Jonathan de Guzman on season-long loan deal | LFP
Swansea City have completed the signing of Villarreal midfielder Jonathan de Guzman on a season-long loan deal. The 24-year-old is new manager Michael Laudrup’s second signing since taking the helm - following the recent arrival of Jose Manuel Flores - with the Welsh club having the option to sign him on a permanent basis.