Court hearing reaches critical point for Negreira's Barca case, as former presidents confront legal proceedings
In a courtroom in Spain, a high-profile sports corruption probe is currently underway, with several former football executives, including two former presidents of FC Barcelona, standing trial. The Negreira case, as it is known, revolves around allegations of payments totalling 7.3 million euros to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice president of Spain's referees' committee.
The proceedings began with the testimony of Javier Enriquez, Negreira's son, who admitted to producing referee reports for Barcelona. However, he insisted these reports were analytical and not intended to influence matches. Javier Enriquez, like many others implicated in the case, has been questioned about over 600 invoices worth 6,000-7,000 euros each, many lacking detailed documentation.
Josep Maria Bartomeu, another former president of Barcelona (2014-2020), is scheduled to testify on Friday in the same case. Bartomeu is also entangled in the separate "Barcagate" scandal, in which the club allegedly funded a PR campaign to smear rivals and critics. Bartomeu and former club executives, including Jaume Masferrer and Óscar Grau, stood trial in 2021 and are expected to be questioned further.
Alongside Bartomeu and Negreira, former FC Barcelona president Sandro Rosell (2010-2014) is also facing scrutiny over payments to Negreira's company. Rosell transferred around 1.5 million euros to Negreira's company during his tenure, officially for "external refereeing advice."
If convicted of sports corruption, Barcelona could face fines up to 5 million euros. However, investigators have yet to produce definitive proof of bribery or referee manipulation. The court aims to conclude the investigation by the end of the month, but the case could drag into 2026, placing the club under intense scrutiny from fans, rivals, and media.
Further questioning of Javier Enriquez's business associates may be forthcoming, as well as the testimony of former executives Albert Soler and Oscar Grau, who approved the payments, in October. Real Madrid, acting as a private prosecutor, has requested the case to be extended into 2026.
The Negreira case is a reminder of the complexities and controversies that can arise in the world of professional football. As the trial unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see how the events unfold and what the outcome may be for those involved.
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