One of the most notorious scandals in Spanish football, the so-called “Negreira case,” continues to draw attention as investigations proceed into claims that FC Barcelona paid referees to influence match outcomes. The case, which has captivated both fans and legal authorities, is widely regarded as one of the most significant inquiries in football history. The Catalan club, however, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Recently, Barcelona received a notable endorsement from Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, who publicly stated that the club had never compensated referees to manipulate matches. Tebas emphasised that the allegations lack substantive evidence and reaffirmed the club’s integrity in adhering to football regulations.
The case centres around José María Enríquez Negreira, former vice-president of the referees’ technical committee (CTA), who reportedly received payments from Barcelona between 2001 and 2018. The club maintains that these payments were strictly for technical reports on referees and scouting evaluations of players, denying any connection to match-fixing.
In an interview with ABC, Tebas elaborated:
“We live in a country governed by the rule of law, and rules are rules. We approached the Public Prosecutor’s Office first, not Real Madrid, and have always acted in accordance with the law.”
He further commented on the limitations of sports legislation, noting that criminal proceedings related to sporting misconduct are subject to a three-year statute of limitations, which he considers insufficient for complex cases such as this.
Tebas reiterated that Barcelona should be fully exonerated from allegations of bribery:
“It is also clear that Barcelona did not make any payments to referees, which is apparent on the surface.”
When pressed about reports that Barcelona did make payments to Negreira, Tebas clarified:
“That is your statement. We have emphasised that such conduct should be subject to sporting sanctions, but criminal responsibility is a separate matter. Claims that referees were bribed to influence matches—such as denying a penalty to Vinicius in Pamplona—are entirely false, contrary to what Florentino Pérez mentioned to club members.”
Timeline of Alleged Payments
| Period | Allegation | Barcelona’s Claim |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2018 | Payments made to José María Enríquez Negreira | Funds used for referee reports and scouting only |
| Present | Investigation ongoing in court | No evidence of match manipulation found |
| 2026 | La Liga president publicly supports Barcelona | Confirms no bribery occurred |
As the judicial investigation continues, the football world remains watchful. While the allegations have tarnished discussions around Barcelona’s past, the club and La Liga maintain that no concrete proof of match-fixing has emerged.