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Barcelona have responded to new developments in the long-running Negreira case after rivals Real Madrid submitted a considerable volume of documents to UEFA as part of the ongoing investigation into payments made by the Catalan club to companies linked to former Spanish referee José María Enríquez Negreira.
The development has renewed attention on the case, with reports that Real Madrid are seeking disciplinary consequences against Barcelona in the period covered by the investigation, including the titles won by the Catalan club between 2001 and 2018.
However, Barcelona have moved to clarify the status of the UEFA proceedings, insisting that the latest developments should not be interpreted as the opening of a new investigation against the club.
Barcelona: no new UEFA investigation
In an official statement, Barcelona said that UEFA had not opened a new investigation into the club, stressing that the existing case dates back to 2023 and was never formally closed.
“Barcelona can confirm that UEFA has NOT opened ANY new investigation into Barça. The case was opened in 2023 and has never been closed,” the club said. Project reports
The clarification came after UEFA confirmed it had received a significant amount of documentation submitted by Real Madrid.
According to Barcelona, the documents will be assessed as part of the ongoing UEFA investigation rather than through a newly opened case.
The club also underlined that UEFA’s communication does not announce the reopening, reactivation or initiation of separate proceedings against Barcelona.
Barcelona said UEFA had made no decision regarding the substance or value of the documents submitted by Real Madrid, meaning the materials remain subject to assessment by relevant investigators.
Real Madrid presents extensive documentation
Real Madrid’s intervention adds a new dimension to the dispute over the Negreira case, which remains one of the most closely watched controversies in Spanish football.
The Madrid club is believed to have provided UEFA with a significant amount of material, said to amount to tens of thousands of pages and containing documentary evidence and witness statements.
Real Madrid’s position centers on the alleged implications of payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to Negreira, who was vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees in Spain.
The payments, which took place over several years, were investigated by Spanish authorities to establish whether they could have been intended to influence refereeing decisions.
Barcelona has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the payments were for technical reports and consultancy services relating to refereeing.
The criminal proceedings in Spain remain separate from the UEFA process, although the outcome of the legal proceedings could have implications for the development of the wider case.
No new requests for Barcelona
Barcelona also said that UEFA investigators had made no new requests to the club following the submission of Real Madrid’s documents.
The club also said it had not been formally informed by UEFA about the contents of Real Madrid’s complaint.
This distinction is significant since the presentation of documents does not, in itself, equate to a finding against Barcelona.
The material must first be examined by UEFA investigators before any conclusions can be drawn about its relevance or possible disciplinary implications.
Barcelona therefore urged caution in reporting the latest developments, arguing that reports suggesting that UEFA has reopened or activated a new case could create an inaccurate impression of the state of the proceedings.
The club reiterated that the UEFA case remains linked to the wider legal process in Spain.
Barcelona aims to continue UEFA participation
Barcelona also highlighted the fact that it has continued to receive UEFA licenses and participate in European competitions since the investigation began.
The club stated that it received its UEFA license without objection during that period and continued to participate in UEFA competitions.
Barcelona cited this as part of its explanation of the current state of its relationship with European football’s governing body.
However, the club’s participation in UEFA competitions does not in itself resolve the underlying allegations nor determine the final outcome of the ongoing proceedings.
Real Madrid’s latest statement means the evidence presented by the Spanish giants will now form part of the material available to investigators as they assess the case.
The Negreira case remains under the attention of the Spanish authorities
At the center of the controversy are payments made by Barcelona to clubs linked to Negreira during the period in which he was a leading figure within the Spanish refereeing structure.
The payments were the subject of a criminal investigation after Spanish authorities began examining their nature and purpose.
Barcelona maintained that the payments were made for legitimate technical and refereeing relationships and rejected accusations that they were intended to ensure favorable refereeing.
The case has however sparked considerable debate in Spanish football due to Negreira’s position within the refereeing establishment during the period in which the payments were made.
Real Madrid was among the most important clubs to follow the proceedings and to have taken measures to participate in the legal process.
The latest submission of documents to UEFA represents another development in a case that has already spread to all sporting and judicial institutions.
Barcelona demands precision
While Barcelona acknowledged having received Real Madrid’s documents from UEFA, it said the development should not be presented as a new investigation or a determination that the evidence establishes wrongdoing.
The club reiterated its commitment to collaborating with the competent authorities and asked for accuracy and precision in reporting the case.
For now, UEFA is assessing material submitted by Real Madrid as part of the investigation that began in 2023, while the broader criminal proceedings continue in Spain.
Any disciplinary consequences will depend on the outcome of the respective trials and the conclusions reached by the competent authorities.
The latest developments therefore leave the Negreira case open, with Real Madrid submitting further material to UEFA and Barcelona maintaining that no new investigation has been opened against the club.
