It is alleged that between 2016 and 2018, Barcelona paid Jose Negreira, the vice-president of the Spanish football federation’s Referee Technical Committee at the time, around €1.4m.
It is alleged that between 2016 and 2018, Barcelona paid Jose Negreira, the vice-president of the Spanish football federation’s Referee Technical Committee at the time, around €1.4m.
Barcelona claim that Negreira was a consultant who told players how to behave with each individual referee to give them the best chance of favourable treatment.
Barcelona claim that Negreira was a consultant who told players how to behave with each individual referee to give them the best chance of favourable treatment.
Every time Barcelona played a domestic game, a letter was reportedly delivered to the club. It contained a video analysis and a profile outlining the forthcoming referee's actions on the field.
Every time Barcelona played a domestic game, a letter was reportedly delivered to the club. It contained a video analysis and a profile outlining the forthcoming referee's actions on the field.
Negreira said he was paid for ‘technical advice to ensure that no controversial refereeing decisions went against Barcelona.’ He charged €500,000 per season and around €1.4m in total.
Negreira said he was paid for ‘technical advice to ensure that no controversial refereeing decisions went against Barcelona.’ He charged €500,000 per season and around €1.4m in total.
The money allegedly came from Negreira's company, DASNIL 95 SL. According to reports in Spain, DASNIL and Barcelona have had a working connection for 20 years.
The money allegedly came from Negreira's company, DASNIL 95 SL. According to reports in Spain, DASNIL and Barcelona have had a working connection for 20 years.
Javier Enriquez Romero, Negreira's son, gave details contradicting his father. He said that the ‘envelope’ was the way in which the consultancy was delivered, not verbally as his father claims.
Javier Enriquez Romero, Negreira's son, gave details contradicting his father. He said that the ‘envelope’ was the way in which the consultancy was delivered, not verbally as his father claims.
Barcelona released an official statement promising to be transparent in their internal investigation, to 'save its honour.' Other La Liga clubs expressed 'deep concern' about the situation.
Barcelona released an official statement promising to be transparent in their internal investigation, to 'save its honour.' Other La Liga clubs expressed 'deep concern' about the situation.
Barcelona are currently not being investigated – DASNIL are. If Barca are found guilty in any investigation, the punishments will be severe, a case in point being Calciopoli in 2006.
Barcelona are currently not being investigated – DASNIL are. If Barca are found guilty in any investigation, the punishments will be severe, a case in point being Calciopoli in 2006.