Real Madrid President Florentino Perez Reopens Barcelona Referee Scandal

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reignited the Barcelona referee scandal, intensifying the ongoing feud between Spain’s football giants. Perez’s latest remarks center on Barcelona’s alleged €8 million payments to refereeing officials, raising fresh questions about sporting integrity during Barca’s most successful era.

Florentino Perez Targets Barcelona Over Negreira Scandal

Florentino Perez, speaking at the Assembly of Representative Members, directly addressed the controversial “Negreira case.” He expressed deep concerns over payments made by Barcelona to Jose María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (TCA). According to Perez, “It’s not normal” for a club to pay over €8 million to such a high-ranking referee official across 17 years, regardless of the stated reason.

Perez pointedly noted that this period coincided with Barcelona’s most prosperous years in Spanish football. He questioned the coincidence, suggesting the integrity of La Liga was at stake. Using both statistical data and emotional appeals, Perez highlighted what he saw as a suspicious imbalance in red card statistics between Real Madrid and Barcelona during the “Negreira era.”

Reviewing the Accusations: What Is the Negreira Scandal?

The Negreira scandal first surfaced in 2023 when it was revealed that Negreira received €8.4 million from Barcelona between 2001 and 2018. Both Negreira and Barcelona have maintained these were payments for consultancy—refereeing reports and advice—denying any intent to bribe. Despite these denials, the Spanish courts continue to investigate possible violations of sporting integrity.

Perez’s speech emphasized that four Barcelona presidents have overseen these payments, and he condemned suggestions from some league officials to “move on” from the scandal. He argued, “Who is going to forget it? The referees involved are still there. It’s a situation that prevents them from acting with neutrality.”

Perez’s Claims: Red Card Disparities and Sporting Success

Using detailed charts, Perez claimed that Real Madrid saw a net gain of just two red cards in 2021, while Barcelona benefited from 61 during the same window, a difference he finds impossible to explain as a coincidence. He compared these numbers to trends in other European leagues, asserting that no similar disparities exist elsewhere.

He further criticized La Liga’s leadership for allegedly supporting Barcelona and Villarreal with additional financial incentives for participating in matches played in Miami. Perez claimed the league’s stance undermines the fairness and unity of Spanish football.

Real Madrid’s Stand and the Ongoing Investigation

Real Madrid remains the only club to appear as a party in the Negreira trial, which Perez believes demonstrates the club’s commitment to defending the integrity of Spanish football. He called on governing bodies to address these unresolved issues and questioned the neutrality of officials who oversaw key matches, especially during high-stakes fixtures such as the Copa del Rey final.

Barcelona, for their part, have consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that all payments were for legitimate consultancy services. La Liga, the Spanish FA, and the TCA have yet to issue formal responses to Perez’s latest accusations.

The Wider Impact on Spanish Football

The renewed controversy underlines the deep-rooted rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, but it also raises broader concerns about oversight and transparency in Spanish football. The public debate has prompted calls among fans, media, and officials for stronger governance and regular auditing of club relationships with officials.

If proven true, the allegations could have long-term implications for Barcelona’s legacy and the reputation of La Liga. Conversely, failure to resolve the issue risks ongoing mistrust and division within the Spanish game.

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Opinion: Sporting Integrity Must Be Protected

In my view, Florentino Perez’s decision to bring the Negreira scandal back into the spotlight is a reminder that sporting integrity must remain a top priority. While rivalry and controversy are part of football, transparency and fairness are non-negotiable. Full disclosure and independent investigation are crucial, not just for Real Madrid and Barcelona, but for the future trust in La Liga and Spanish football as a whole.