Negreira Case: Real Madrid Sends Over 50,000 Pages to UEFA as Barcelona Responds

UEFA has confirmed that it is assessing a substantial batch of documents submitted by Real Madrid as part of its ongoing review of the Negreira case involving Barcelona.

The latest development follows Real Madrid’s complaint concerning payments made by Barcelona to former Spanish refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira.

According to Sky Sports, UEFA said its Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors had received the new material from Real Madrid and would assess it within the framework of the ongoing review.

Real Madrid said UEFA had confirmed receipt of its complaint and the continuation of the investigation into Barcelona’s payments to Negreira, who served as vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The Madrid club said its submission included extensive evidence concerning what it called events of “extraordinary seriousness” and argued that the matter had implications for the integrity of competition and confidence in refereeing.

Real Madrid called on UEFA to continue the investigation with “the utmost urgency” until it reaches its conclusion.

The club also said it would continue to cooperate with UEFA and pursue all measures available to clarify what it considers incompatible with “integrity, transparency and fair play” in European football.

UEFA confirmed the submission, stating: “UEFA can confirm that it has received from Real Madrid CF a substantial amount of documents related to the ongoing investigation into FC Barcelona” in the Negreira matter.

“The UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspectors have also received these latest documents, which they will assess as part of their ongoing review.”

Reports say Real Madrid’s dossier runs to more than 50,000 pages.

Barcelona: No New Case Has Been Opened

Barcelona has pushed back against reports suggesting that UEFA has launched or reopened disciplinary proceedings against the club.

“UEFA has not opened any new proceedings against FC Barcelona,” the club said in its statement.

Barcelona explained that the UEFA proceedings date back to 2023, when two investigators were appointed, and insisted that the process “have never been closed”.

According to the Catalan club, UEFA’s latest communication only confirms that Real Madrid’s documents have been received and will be examined as part of the existing investigation.

“It therefore does not announce the opening, reopening, or reactivation of any proceedings, nor does it contain any assessment of the substance or value of the documentation provided,” Barcelona said.

The club further stated that UEFA had not made any new requests to Barcelona or sent Real Madrid’s complaint to the club as of Thursday.

Barcelona also said the UEFA process remains subject to the outcome of the criminal case in Spain.

“Since the investigation began, FC Barcelona has continued to obtain UEFA licences without objection and has participated in UEFA competitions,” the club said.

Payments at the Centre of Dispute

The Negreira case centres on payments Barcelona made to Negreira during his time as vice-president of the Spanish refereeing technical committee.

Barcelona has consistently maintained that the payments were for scouting and technical reports on refereeing officials. Allegations have also been made that the payments were aimed at influencing refereeing decisions.

Real Madrid has separately argued that the material it submitted raises serious questions about competition integrity and the refereeing system.

For now, UEFA’s position is that its ethics and disciplinary inspectors will assess Real Madrid’s latest documentation as part of the ongoing review. Barcelona, meanwhile, maintains that the development does not amount to a new or reopened disciplinary case.

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