Real Madrid's Florentino Perez Accuses Barcelona Of Corruption! Negreira Scandal Explodes Again
Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez has reignited the controversy surrounding FC Barcelona and the "Negreira case," accusing the Catalan club of corruption. His strong words have reverberated throughout Spanish football, breathing new life into an already explosive affair that is being closely monitored by the Spanish justice system.
Pérez's accusations stem from revelations that FC Barcelona allegedly paid more than €8 million to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the referees' technical committee, over a period of 17 years. These payments, which reportedly occurred between 2001 and 2018, are currently under investigation for potential active and passive corruption.
"It is not normal for Barcelona to pay the vice-president of the referees more than €8 million over 17 years, whatever the reason," Pérez stated. He further emphasized the timing of these payments, noting that it "coincides with the period during which Barcelona won the most titles".
Barcelona maintains that the payments to Negreira were solely for "technical reports" intended for referee analysis. The club vehemently denies any attempt to manipulate matches or gain an unfair advantage. Club President Joan Laporta has stated that the payments were for legitimate services and were properly invoiced and processed. He has also accused those making allegations of leading a smear campaign against Barcelona.
However, prosecutors suspect that the payments could have been intended to influence refereeing decisions in favor of Barcelona. The investigation is focused on determining whether the payments were made with the intention of influencing sporting events or whether such influence actually took place.
Real Madrid has been admitted as an injured party in the case, allowing the club to pursue legal action against Barcelona. Pérez has stated that the case is of "enormous gravity" and is "damaging the image of Spanish football". Real Madrid has expressed its determination to pursue the matter fully and ensure that appropriate sanctions are imposed if Barcelona is found guilty.
The "Negreira case" has dominated Spanish football headlines since the revelations first emerged in February 2023. The scandal has further intensified the already fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, both on and off the field. The controversy has also cast a shadow over Spanish officiating, with some suggesting that the influence of Negreira during his tenure as vice-president of the referees' committee may have had a lasting impact.
As the investigation progresses, key figures such as former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, as well as Negreira himself, have testified in court. Rosell defended the payments, asserting that Negreira had "zero weight" in the Technical Committee of Referees and that the only influential figure was the CTA president, who he claimed has always been a Real Madrid fan.
The outcome of the "Negreira case" remains uncertain, but it is clear that the accusations of corruption have had a significant impact on the relationship between Real Madrid and Barcelona and on the reputation of Spanish football. Pérez's recent statements serve as a reminder that this saga is far from over and that the rivalry between the two biggest clubs in Spain will continue to be fueled by this controversy.
