Real Madrid asks UEFA to complete Negreira investigation

Real Madrid has urged UEFA to proceed urgently with its investigation into payments made by Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees. The Madrid club said on Thursday that UEFA had confirmed receipt of its complaint and that its investigation into the matter was continuing. Real Madrid said it had submitted extensive documentation and evidence concerning the payments.

According to the club, the material raised serious questions about the integrity of competition and public confidence in the refereeing system. It said the investigation should continue until its full conclusion and that the appropriate football authorities should take decisions in line with the seriousness of any verified facts. The case concerns payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to Negreira.

He served as vice-president of the refereeing committee between 1994 and 2018. Spanish prosecutors have alleged that the payments were intended to influence refereeing decisions. Barcelona has denied seeking favourable treatment.

The club has maintained that the payments were for technical refereeing reports and advice. The existence of the payments is not disputed, while their purpose and whether they amounted to sporting or other wrongdoing remain central issues in the case. UEFA appointed Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in March 2023 to examine whether Barcelona may have breached the governing body’s legal framework in connection with the matter.

Spanish authorities have also investigated the allegations and whether the payments could have affected the integrity of football competitions. Real Madrid said it would continue cooperating with UEFA and pursue all measures within its power to clarify what it described as conduct incompatible with integrity, transparency and fair play in European football.