UEFA opens investigation against FC Barcelona in ‘Negreia’ refereeing scandal

UEFA announced on Thursday 23 March the opening of an investigation into a “possible violation of the legal framework” proceedings by FC Barcelona, ​​in the case of the arbitration scandal involving the Catalan club, the Negreia affair. The club admitted having paid more than seven million euros, since 2001, to José Maria Enriquez Negreira, former referee and ex-vice president of the technical arbitration committee of the Spanish football federation, to advise the Blaugranas on arbitration matters. The Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, nevertheless affirmed that his club “had never bought the referee”and Negreia denies any favor done to the Catalan club.

FC Barcelona and some of its leaders were nevertheless charged on March 10 by the Spanish courts for “corruption”, “breach of trust” And “false business records” in this case of suspicious money payments, and Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira is also being prosecuted. An investigating judge was appointed in mid-March. These lawsuits, decided by the Barcelona public prosecutor’s office, target Barça as a legal entity, as well as Josep Maria Bartomeu, head of the club between 2014 and 2020, and Sandro Rosell, president between 2010 and 2014. Oscar Grau and Albert Soler , members of Mr. Bartomeu’s former team, are also being prosecuted.