Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, confirmed in an exclusive statement on the sidelines of the Spanish Federation dinner before the Spanish Super Cup final that the relations between the Catalan club and Real Madrid are currently very poor and completely severed.

Laporta said: "The relations with Real Madrid are very bad and are currently severed. Things can always be set right, but for now, this is the situation."

He continued: "We always act with the utmost respect and friendliness towards our competitors, and although Real Madrid's president Florentino Pérez did not attend the event, we respect all representatives of the royal club."

He added: "There are several issues that have caused our estrangement. If we were fierce competitors before, now there is a situation that has made the relations poor and severed."

Laporta continued: "This does not mean that we lack respect; we always maintain respect, and everything in football can be fixed, but it depends on both parties."

He added: "There is great enthusiasm to win this title, the first of the season, and we know we deserve to reach the final. All Barcelona fans want to start the year with a victory, the team is mentally prepared, and coach Flick also does not allow any player to get distracted."

He concluded: "Since the championship has been held here and in this format, the Spanish Super Cup has gained more international exposure. I would like to thank the Spanish Federation, especially its president Rafael Lozano, for the excellent organization of this edition of the tournament."