Seventeen years. More than seven million euros. Paid by Barcelona to companies linked to the number two in Spanish refereeing. For what?
THE LOWDOWN — THE FULL HISTORY
THE PAYMENTS
From 2001 to 2018, Barcelona paid companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, then vice-president of Spain's referees' committee, and his son. Prosecutors allege the payments were meant to secure favourable refereeing. Barcelona denies it and says it paid for technical advice, pointing to 629 referee reports from 2014–2018.
THE FINDINGS
Tax investigators found the services unsubstantiated, but no established effect on refereeing or results. A bribery charge was dismissed because Negreira was not a public official. Laporta was removed from the case as time-barred, which is not a verdict. The criminal case is unresolved, and no one has been convicted.
UEFA
UEFA opened its own investigation in March 2023 and has reserved its decision.
THE TERRACES — DISCUSSION
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