We have evidence Barcelona bribed referees – Real Madrid writes UEFA

Real Madrid have formally asked UEFA to take what they described as “firm” and “exemplary” disciplinary action against Barcelona over payments made to former Spanish refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira.

In a statement submitted to UEFA’s disciplinary bodies, Real Madrid argued that evidence gathered in the ongoing “Negreira Case” points to what the club described as a prolonged and unjustified relationship between Barcelona and the former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee.

Barcelona paid companies linked to Negreira more than €7 million between 2001 and 2018. The Catalan club has consistently maintained that the payments were for technical reports and advice on referees and has denied any attempt to influence match officials.

However, Real Madrid said the evidence suggests otherwise. The club stated that there is “significant evidence” supporting allegations of “prolonged, opaque payments lacking any verifiable justification” made by Barcelona through various corporate structures linked to Negreira.

Madrid further argued that the case represents a serious threat to football’s integrity, claiming it revealed “the existence of a structure of undue influence over the refereeing body, incompatible with the essential principles of competitive equality, neutrality, impartiality, and unpredictability of sports outcomes.”

The Spanish giants urged UEFA to revive disciplinary proceedings that were opened in 2023 after the payments became public. According to Real Madrid, “the continuation of this situation seriously compromises the credibility of football, its institutions, and its leaders.” The club added that it was demanding “a firm, exemplary, and immediate response in the sporting domain, independently of the ongoing judicial proceedings.”

UEFA launched an investigation into the matter in 2023, with its ethics and disciplinary inspectors examining whether Barcelona may have breached European football regulations. However, no public update has been issued since the probe began. When approached for comment on Madrid’s latest submission, UEFA declined to discuss the matter, reiterating that its disciplinary bodies operate independently and that it does not comment on ongoing or potential proceedings.

The Negreira payments are also the subject of a separate investigation by Spanish judicial authorities. The latest move further escalates tensions between Spain’s two biggest clubs. Relations between Real Madrid and Barcelona have deteriorated in recent months following disagreements surrounding the European Super League project, which both clubs had previously championed together.

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has been particularly vocal on the issue. Speaking in May, he described the Negreira affair as “the biggest scandal in history,” claiming the alleged influence over referees may have cost Madrid as many as seven La Liga titles.

Barcelona strongly rejected those remarks and has threatened legal action against Pérez. Last week, the club filed a mandatory conciliation claim ahead of a potential criminal complaint for slander, accusing the Madrid president of making statements that were knowingly false and damaging to Barcelona’s reputation.

Barcelona said the legal move seeks a retraction of comments that it described as “slanderous and offensive to the image and reputation of the club.” The dispute now places renewed focus on UEFA’s handling of the Negreira case, with Real Madrid pressing for sporting sanctions while Barcelona continues to deny any wrongdoing and defend itself in both legal and footballing arenas.