Real Madrid President Perez Stokes Barcelona Referee Scandal

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has once again thrust the Barcelona Negreira case into the spotlight, fiercely questioning the integrity of La Liga and reigniting one of Spanish football’s most heated controversies.

Perez Rekindles Barcelona Negreira Case Allegations

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez opened the latest Assembly of Representative Members with a scathing critique of Barcelona, referencing the ongoing Negreira case. According to Perez, Barcelona’s “best sporting era” coincided with alleged payments of over €8 million to referees between 2001 and 2018, a period that still casts a shadow over Spanish football.

The controversy began after it emerged that Barcelona had paid €8.4 million to Jose María Enríquez Negreira, then vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (TCA) of the Spanish FA. While both Negreira and the club insist these were consultancy fees for refereeing reports, allegations of attempted influence and bribery persist, with investigations into sporting integrity still unresolved.

Real Madrid President Perez Demands Answers

Perez, determined not to let the issue fade, used charts and statistics to highlight what he believes is a suspicious pattern. “It’s not normal that Barcelona has paid the vice president of referees more than €8m for at least 17 years, whatever the reason,” Perez declared. He emphasized that the payments coincided with Barcelona’s most successful years—raising questions about whether their historic achievements were tainted.

He further underscored a disparity in red card statistics, stating, “Real Madrid had a net balance of two red cards in 2021, and Barcelona, 61 red cards. That’s a difference of no less than 59.” According to Perez, this imbalance is unprecedented in European football, with other major leagues and clubs such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund showing far more comparable figures.

Ongoing Tensions Between Real Madrid and Barcelona

Perez’s comments did not stop at the Negreira payments. He criticized the TCA’s response, noting that its current president, Fran Soto, has urged clubs to “move on and forget the Negreira case.” Perez retorted, “Who is going to forget it? The reality is that they [the referees involved] are still there. It’s a situation that prevents them from acting with neutrality.”

He also drew attention to the controversial proposal to play La Liga matches in Miami, singling out Barcelona and Villarreal for receiving additional financial incentives—an arrangement Perez claimed even Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong considered abnormal.

The Integrity of La Liga in Question

The persistence of the Negreira case, and Perez’s emphatic stance, underscore the deep division it has created between the two Spanish giants. Real Madrid remains the only club to have formally appeared in the ongoing trial. “Four presidents have maintained millionaire payments for 17 years to the vice president of referees,” Perez noted, reinforcing his belief that the case undermines the credibility of the league.

He also pointed to troubling statements from referees themselves prior to important matches, suggesting an environment where impartiality cannot be guaranteed. The lack of decisive action from governing bodies, according to Perez, only fuels doubts about the fairness of Spanish football.

Response from Barcelona and Governing Bodies Awaited

While both Barcelona and Negreira continue to deny any wrongdoing, the investigation drags on, leaving the footballing world in suspense. It remains to be seen whether La Liga, the Spanish FA, or the TCA will issue a renewed response to Perez’s latest accusations, or what repercussions—if any—will ultimately follow for those involved.

Opinion: Time for Transparency in Spanish Football

The Real Madrid president’s decision to continually bring the Negreira case to public attention reflects both his commitment to sporting integrity and the intense rivalry with Barcelona. Regardless of club allegiance, the ongoing controversy highlights the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in Spanish football. Only a thorough and conclusive investigation can restore faith in La Liga’s integrity and ensure a level playing field for all clubs.

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