Thursday, June 18, 2026 - Real Madrid have formally asked UEFA to take what they described as “firm” and “exemplary” disciplinary action against Barcelona over payments made to former Spanish refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira.
In a statement submitted to UEFA’s disciplinary bodies, Real
Madrid argued that evidence gathered in the ongoing “Negreira Case” points to
what the club described as a prolonged and unjustified relationship between
Barcelona and the former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee.
Barcelona paid companies linked to Negreira more than €7
million between 2001 and 2018. The Catalan club has consistently maintained
that the payments were for technical reports and advice on referees and has
denied any attempt to influence match officials.
However, Real Madrid said the evidence suggests otherwise.
The club stated that there is “significant evidence” supporting allegations of
“prolonged, opaque payments lacking any verifiable justification” made by
Barcelona through various corporate structures linked to Negreira.
Madrid further argued that the case represents a serious
threat to football’s integrity, claiming it revealed “the existence of a
structure of undue influence over the refereeing body, incompatible with the
essential principles of competitive equality, neutrality, impartiality, and
unpredictability of sports outcomes.”
The Spanish giants urged UEFA to revive disciplinary
proceedings that were opened in 2023 after the payments became public.
According to Real Madrid, “the continuation of this situation seriously
compromises the credibility of football, its institutions, and its leaders.”
The club added that it was demanding “a firm, exemplary, and immediate response
in the sporting domain, independently of the ongoing judicial proceedings.”
UEFA launched an investigation into the matter in 2023, with
its ethics and disciplinary inspectors examining whether Barcelona may have
breached European football regulations. However, no public update has been
issued since the probe began. When approached for comment on Madrid’s latest
submission, UEFA declined to discuss the matter, reiterating that its
disciplinary bodies operate independently and that it does not comment on
ongoing or potential proceedings.
The Negreira payments are also the subject of a separate
investigation by Spanish judicial authorities. The latest move further
escalates tensions between Spain’s two biggest clubs. Relations between Real
Madrid and Barcelona have deteriorated in recent months following disagreements
surrounding the European Super League project, which both clubs had previously
championed together.
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has been particularly
vocal on the issue. Speaking in May, he described the Negreira affair as “the
biggest scandal in history,” claiming the alleged influence over referees may
have cost Madrid as many as seven La Liga titles.
Barcelona strongly rejected those remarks and has threatened
legal action against Pérez. Last week, the club filed a mandatory conciliation
claim ahead of a potential criminal complaint for slander, accusing the Madrid
president of making statements that were knowingly false and damaging to
Barcelona’s reputation.
Barcelona said the legal move seeks a retraction of comments
that it described as “slanderous and offensive to the image and reputation of
the club.” The dispute now places renewed focus on UEFA’s handling of the
Negreira case, with Real Madrid pressing for sporting sanctions while Barcelona
continues to deny any wrongdoing and defend itself in both legal and
footballing arenas.
0 Comments