Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Sunday, November 23, 2025 21:17 / Updated Sunday, November 23, 2025 21:59
The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez (78), has resumed the accusations against Barcelona and Spanish refereeing, bringing up the controversial “Negreira case” again.
According to Perez, four different presidents of Barcelona over 17 years paid more than 8 million euros to the vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
Between 2001 and 2018, Barcelona diverted to firms controlled by Negreira sums estimated at 7-8 million euros, officially for “technical reports and consultancy on arbitration”.
Florentino Perez accuses Barcelona in the Negreira scandal: “It is not normal for Barcelona to pay the vice president of referees more than 8 million euros”
Perez emphasized the temporal link between the payments and the success of the Catalans:
“It is not normal for Barcelona to pay the vice president of referees more than 8 million euros in 17 years, for whatever reason!
Coincidentally, it coincides with Barcelona's best sporting period.
The level of Spanish refereeing is also unacceptable. It is a shame that FIFA did not select any of the 35 Spanish referees at the Club World Cup.
It is not normal for the president of La Liga to promote a match played outside of Spain. Even Frenkie de Jong doesn't think it's normal.
It is not normal for La Liga to support Barcelona and Villarrealgiving them additional financial incentives to play in Miami,” said Florentino Perez, according to Marca.
Prosecutors are continuing investigations to determine whether these payments influenced arbitration or ensured favorable treatment for the Catalan club.
The club president spoke about the paradox of trophies at Real Madrid
The Madrid president also raised a question about Real's international performances and internal arbitration:
“It is normal that some of our players have more Champions League than La Liga titles?
Most have four European trophies and only five championships, some even six Champions and five domestic titles.
This is not normal”, added the president of the “Galacticos”, according to the quoted source.
What Barcelona risks in the “Negreira case”
If the allegations of ongoing corruption and institutional fraud are proven, the Catalan club risks:
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Huge fines,
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Competitive restrictions,
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Temporary bans in UEFA competitions, although a decision on this is not expected soon.
