FC Barcelona also under magnifying glass at UEFA: union opens investigation into possible bribery | Foreign football

Barcelona is said to have paid more than 6.5 million euros between 2001 and 2018 to a company owned by José Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Spanish referees’ commission. Spanish media suggest that Barcelona was trying to influence refereeing matters.

UEFA’s ethics committee will now also investigate the matter. The European Union has appointed inspectors to determine whether Barcelona has violated UEFA rules in the Negreira case.

“Football’s reputation is at stake,” said chairman Javier Tebas of the Spanish league La Liga recently. ,,I am ashamed. We have not heard a good explanation from Barcelona.”

Chairman Joan Laporta denies allegations of bribery allegedly committed under his predecessors. According to Laporta, it is sheer slander and an attempt to ‘tarnish the logo’ of the club that is heading for the league title in Spain this season.

Real Madrid, Barcelona’s great rival, has joined the prosecution’s indictment as a ‘duped party’. The Ministry of Justice has placed the case in the hands of the department that specializes in anti-corruption. FC Barcelona has long denied vehemently. Yesterday the Catalan club challenged several journalists in court.