Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reignited the controversy surrounding the ‘Negreira case,’ criticizing both Barcelona and the new Referee Committee leadership for urging an end to discussion over the scandal.
Pérez’s Accusations at Real Madrid Assembly
Florentino Pérez publicly asserted that Real Madrid is the only club to have formally appeared in court for the high-profile Negreira case, which centers on Barcelona’s payments of millions of euros to former Referees Association vice president José María Enríquez Negreira over a 17-year span. He emphasized that four consecutive Barcelona presidents maintained these payments, calling into question the integrity of competition in Spanish football.
Referee Chief Calls to Forget Scandal
New Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) president Fran Soto recently urged clubs and officials to “put behind us” the Negreira affair, describing it as a chapter best left to the courts and not for further debate within football governing circles. Soto expressed his intention to usher in a “new era,” but acknowledged public concerns over persistent allegations.
Ongoing Concerns About Referee Neutrality
Pérez countered that forgetting the matter is impossible, as many referees involved during the alleged period remain within the system, raising doubts about their impartiality. He suggested that until thorough accountability is enforced, neutrality and public trust in Spanish refereeing will remain under scrutiny.
The case continues to spark division between Spain’s top clubs and the football establishment as investigations remain ongoing.
