Explosive Court Document Reveals Shocking Allegations: FC Barcelona Faces Investigation for 'Sustained and Active Bribery' Scandal
FC Barcelona and its executives are being probed for sustained active bribery, a court document reveals The investigation into alleged improper payments adds another layer to the ongoing scandal engulfing Spanish soccer
FC Barcelona and multiple current and former executives of soccer clubs are under official investigation as suspects for "the sustained crime of active bribery," states a court document obtained by CNN. This development adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing scandal surrounding alleged improper payments within Spanish soccer. The investigation centers around Barcelona's alleged illicit payments to José MarÃa EnrÃquez Negreira, a former prominent referee official in Spain.
Spains Civil Guard conducted a search at the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Thursday morning, as part of an ongoing investigation. According to a spokesperson from the Guardia Civil, no arrests are anticipated. Further details about the search were not disclosed.
A source from FC Barcelona informed CNN that the club does not have an official statement regarding the investigation. However, the source mentioned that the club's legal team has thoroughly examined all potential legal outcomes, including the club being named as a suspect. Based on this analysis, the club is actively working and progressing forward. Prosecutors lodged a formal complaint earlier this year in a Barcelona court, accusing the club of engaging in "sustained corruption within the sports industry" in a case known as the "Negreira case" in Spanish soccer.
The headquarters of the Spanish football federation were searched on Thursday.
Prosecutors claimed that multiple current and former club officials had knowledge of invoices totalling over â¬7 million (almost $7.4 million) that were billed to two companies established by Negreira. Negreira served as a CTA vice president from 1993 to 2018, and these companies were found to be working on behalf of Barcelona, resulting in direct benefits.
The CTA is responsible for determining the referees and assistants who officiate league and national competitive matches in Spain.
As per the official complaint lodged by the prosecutors in March this year, the club stands accused of entering into a "highly confidential verbal agreement" with Negreira, with the intention of influencing refereeing decisions in favor of Barcelona.
Jorge Vilda, Spain's Head Coach, observes the international friendly match between Spain Women and Panama Women at Estadio Roman Suarez Puerta in Aviles, Spain on June 29, 2023. Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images captures this moment.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Former Spain womens coach Jorge Vilda under investigation as part of Luis Rubiales court case
In the court document dated Wednesday, Judge JoaquÃn Aguirre López declared that the alleged crimes committed by Negreira, Barça, and other suspects should be categorized as bribery, rather than ongoing corruption. According to Aguirre López, the act of bribery is considered complete once the payment is made, regardless of whether there is evidence of a larger corruption scheme involving Spanish refereeing.
The court document outlined the annual payments made between 2001 and 2018, ranging from 70,000 euros ($74,000) to 700,000 euros ($740,000) per year.
In the same court document, the judge concluded that Negreira's departure in 2018 coincided with the cessation of payments, implying that the club's interests were fulfilled through the sustained duration and increasing amounts of the payments. The judge also expressed his belief that these payments effectively influenced referees, ultimately leading to an entrenched culture of corruption within Spanish refereeing and impacting the sport of soccer in the country.
Barça announced in February that an in-depth and unbiased investigation was taking place. However, in March, a source from FCB strongly denied to CNN any allegations of bribery or attempting to sway referee decisions. During a press conference on Thursday, head coach Xavi was asked about the latest developments in the Caso Negreira. He responded, saying, "My opinion regarding the Caso Negreira is already known. Next week, there will be another update on Negreira. In 15 days, there will be another story, and in a month and a half, yet another one."
Xavi looks on during the La Liga match between Barcelona and Osasuna earlier this month.
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He added: "I have never had the feeling, never, and I repeat it, that the referees have benefitted us. Never."
LaLiga President Javier Tebas stated on Thursday that the visit of the Civil Guard to the RFEF headquarters is significant as it allows for the continuation of the investigations. This is why permission was granted for the search. LaLiga, along with Real Madrid, is listed as a plaintiff in the case against Barcelona.
In a statement issued in March, Real Madrid expressed serious concern about the gravity of the situation and reaffirmed their trust in the legal system. The club has agreed to participate in the trial to defend its legitimate rights when the judge permits the involvement of affected parties. UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, declined to comment as an investigation is currently ongoing. However, they previously announced that Barcelona is allowed to participate in European club competitions temporarily, and a decision regarding their admission or exclusion is pending.
CNN has reached out to Negreira via his company for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
CNNs Matt Foster contributed to reporting.
