Real Madrid have formally submitted a letter to UEFA claiming they possess evidence linked to the ongoing Negreira case involving Barcelona, escalating one of Spanish football’s most closely watched legal investigations.
The case centres on payments reportedly exceeding €7.3 million made by Barcelona between 2001 and 2018 to companies connected to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). Spanish prosecutors are currently investigating allegations of corruption and improper administration.
Barcelona have consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the payments were made for legitimate technical consultancy services and referee-related reports.
In its communication to UEFA, Real Madrid alleged the existence of “relevant evidence” supporting long-standing concerns over what it described as “opaque and lacking any verifiable justification” payments made through corporate structures linked to Negreira.
The club argued that the situation represents a serious threat to sporting integrity. In the letter, Madrid stated that the alleged conduct amounts to “a systemic risk of maximum gravity for the integrity of competitions,” adding that it suggests “an undue influence on the arbitration system incompatible with competitive equality, neutrality, impartiality and unpredictability of the sports result.”
Real Madrid further urged UEFA to revisit disciplinary proceedings previously opened in relation to the matter, stating: “It is unacceptable that this situation has been prolonged over time, since its persistence seriously compromises the credibility of football, its institutions and its leaders.”
The club also called on UEFA to take action within its regulatory powers, while stressing that its request relates strictly to sporting governance and does not seek to replace ongoing criminal proceedings in Spain.
“We ask UEFA, in the exercise of its own, autonomous and independent competence, to adopt the disciplinary and restorative measures that are appropriate in order to guarantee the integrity, transparency and proper functioning of the competitions,” the letter stated.
Real Madrid confirmed that it is already participating in Spain’s criminal proceedings as a private prosecutor and intends to continue legal action as the case progresses.
UEFA has not yet issued a public response to the renewed request.
