In a dramatic escalation of the long-running 'Negreira Case,' Real Madrid CF has taken a decisive legal step by formally demanding complete and unrestricted access to the internal financial records of their arch-rivals, FC Barcelona. This move intensifies the judicial pressure on Barcelona regarding payments made to a former vice-president of Spain's refereeing committee.
The Core of the Controversy: Payments to José María Enríquez Negreira
The scandal, which has rocked Spanish and European football for years, centers on payments totaling over €7.3 million made by FC Barcelona to companies owned by José María Enríquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018. During much of this period, Negreira served as the vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) in Spain. Barcelona has consistently maintained that these payments were for legitimate technical reports on referees and players, denying any attempt to buy influence.
However, prosecutors allege the payments could constitute corruption in sports, unfair administration, and falsification of commercial documents. The case took a significant turn when Real Madrid, initially a private accuser, decided to actively participate in the proceedings, signaling their intent to seek justice and clarity.
Real Madrid's Formal Legal Request
According to legal documents filed, Real Madrid's legal team has petitioned the court overseeing the investigation to compel FC Barcelona to hand over a comprehensive set of financial documents. The requested records are believed to include detailed ledgers, invoices, board meeting minutes, and internal communications related to the payments made to Negreira's firms, DASNIL 95 and NILSAT.
This request aims to trace the exact flow of money, understand the internal approval processes at Barcelona, and determine whether the club's official explanations align with the documented financial reality. Legal experts suggest that gaining access to these internal records could be pivotal in establishing intent and the true nature of the transactions.
Implications and Potential Consequences
The intensification of the case carries severe potential repercussions for FC Barcelona. While the club is already facing a separate trial for alleged bribery, the outcome of this broader investigation could lead to further sporting and legal penalties.
Sporting sanctions remain a possibility, though complex to enforce retroactively. More immediately, the club continues to grapple with reputational damage that has cast a shadow over its sporting achievements during the relevant period. For Real Madrid, this legal maneuver is not just about rivalry; it is framed as a matter of sporting integrity and justice, seeking to ensure all clubs operate under the same clear rules.
The court's decision on whether to grant Real Madrid full access to Barcelona's sensitive financial data is now a critical next step. A ruling in favor would open a new, deeply invasive phase of the investigation, potentially revealing unprecedented internal details of one of the world's biggest football clubs. The football world watches closely as this historic legal battle between Spain's two giants enters a decisive new chapter.
