The European body confirmed that the documents will be analyzed as part of the investigation initiated in 2023. The white club requested urgency, while Barcelona denied that the case has been reopened
The Negreira case has once again become the center of attention in Spanish football after the UEFA confirmed the receipt of a significant amount of documentation sent by Real Madrid regarding the alleged payments from Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
"UEFA can confirm that it has received from Real Madrid CF a considerable amount of documents related to the ongoing investigation into FC Barcelona in the matter involving José María Enríquez Negreira, former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (the so-called "Negreira matter")".
In turn, the organization added: "UEFA's Ethics and Disciplinary inspectors have also received these latest documents, which they will evaluate as part of their ongoing investigation". Thus, the content provided by the Madrid club will be incorporated into the analysis that the highest body of European football was already conducting.
The Real Madrid Offensive
After presenting the documentation and UEFA confirming its receipt, the Madrid club issued a statement regarding the situation. "The complaint filed by our club includes abundant documentation and evidence regarding facts of extraordinary seriousness, which directly affect the integrity of the competition and trust in the refereeing system", reported the Merengue.
Additionally, the white team demanded that the process move forward quickly. "Real Madrid C. F. considers it essential that, once UEFA has this documentation, the investigation advances with the utmost speed until its complete conclusion and that the competent bodies adopt the decisions that correspond according to the seriousness of the established facts", it concluded.
The statement from Real Madrid
Finally, it emphasized that it will continue to collaborate with the European body to clarify the facts it considers "incompatible with the principles of integrity, transparency, and fair play that must govern European football".
The Response from Barcelona
For its part, the Catalan club focused on the interpretation of the current status of the file and rejected the notion that there is a new opening of the investigation.
In response to reports of a reactivation, the Catalan club stated: "UEFA has not opened any new file on FC Barcelona. The file was initiated in 2023, with the appointment of two investigators, who have since carried out the actions they deemed appropriate. The Club has always complied with all their requests. This file has not been reopened because it has never been closed".
The statement from Barcelona (1/2)
The blue and garnet entity also referred to the words used by the European body, which spoke of an investigation and a "review in progress." Therefore, it maintained that the communication from the European organization does not imply a new opening nor does it contain a statement on the substance of the case or the value of the documentation provided by Real Madrid.
Furthermore, the Catalan team pointed out that, up to that moment, it had not received any new requests from the investigators nor the complaint filed by the Madrid team. As explained, when that occurs "the Club will respond in due course, as it has done so far".
In parallel, Barcelona emphasized that the European file is linked to the criminal procedure taking place in Spain and that, according to applicable legislation, it will remain subject to what is determined in that case. In its statement, the club also recalled that, since the beginning of the investigation, it has continued to obtain the UEFA license without issues and participating normally in competitions organized by the European body.
The statement from Barcelona (2/2)
Finally, the Catalan team reiterated its willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities and requested "rigor and precision" when informing about a procedure that is still ongoing.
What is being investigated in the Negreira case
The so-called Negreira case arose from the investigation into the payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira. According to the judicial investigation, the club paid around 7.3 million euros between 2001 and 2018, a period during which Negreira served as vice president of the CTA.
The Prosecutor's Office maintained that there were indications that needed to be investigated to determine whether the payments sought to influence the refereeing sphere, while Barcelona has maintained that the money corresponded to advisory services and technical reports on referees.
Barcelona allegedly made payments to companies linked to Negreira between 2001 and 2018 to obtain refereeing benefits
In March 2023, UEFA initiated its own investigation into the case and appointed two inspectors to analyze the situation, in parallel to the judicial procedure that continues in Spain.
