Real Madrid has formally presented a letter to UEFA, asserting that they possess conclusive proof that FC Barcelona engaged in bribery of referees. The development escalates the ongoing Negreira case, which has already seen over €7.3 million in alleged payments made by Barcelona to companies controlled by José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
In their correspondence, Real Madrid claims that the payments—which spanned from 2001 to 2018—were concealed and lacked any verifiable justification. The club emphasizes that these actions represent a severe threat to the integrity of competitions, as they undermine fundamental principles such as competitive fairness, neutrality, and the unpredictability of sporting outcomes.
Barcelona has consistently maintained that the payments were for legitimate consulting and technical reports regarding referees. However, prosecutors are investigating potential corruption and unfair administration. Real Madrid now insists that UEFA must urgently reopen its disciplinary file on the matter, arguing that any delay risks further damaging the credibility of football and its governing bodies.
The letter, which Real Madrid released publicly, also stresses that the club is acting as a private accuser in ongoing criminal proceedings. It calls for UEFA to impose firm and immediate sanctions within the sports framework, separate from any judicial outcomes. Real Madrid reaffirms its dedication to upholding core sports values and vows to continue pursuing all necessary measures to ensure such incidents do not remain unpunished.