Negreira case timeline points to possible verdict by late 2027

A verdict in the Negreira case could be delivered by the end of 2027, according to a projected legal timetable reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, after a judge rejected Real Madrid’s request to extend the investigation by a further six months.

The case has been before the Spanish courts for more than three years and a half, with the football world awaiting a decision on allegations involving possible sporting corruption.

Real Madrid had sought additional time to gather more evidence relating to the reported indications of alleged sporting corruption. However, the judge ruled this week that a further six-month extension was unnecessary and that the existing investigation period had been sufficient.

The next step is expected to be the completion of the remaining hearings. These include the testimony of Gerard Lopez, which is scheduled for November. According to Marca, that hearing would bring the evidence-gathering phase to an end.

Real Madrid can appeal against the judge’s decision to the regional court. However, all indications suggest the investigation is now effectively closed and that the proceedings are moving towards a trial and, eventually, a verdict.

All outstanding procedures and appeals are expected to be resolved before the end of the current year. Once those matters have been dealt with, the prosecution will present its closing arguments, followed by the defence. At that point, the investigation will formally conclude.

The case could then be referred to a criminal court, if required. That stage may introduce further delays because the timetable would depend on which court takes responsibility for the proceedings. Some courts face heavier backlogs than others, making it difficult to guarantee an early trial date.

Legal sources consulted by Marca believe a trial is most likely to be scheduled for the autumn of 2027. A date earlier than that is considered highly difficult to achieve under the expected timetable.

If proceedings begin in October or November, the trial is expected to last between one and two weeks. That would leave open the possibility of a verdict in the Negreira case before the end of 2027.

The precise schedule from this point until a judgment is issued will depend on several factors, including the handling of outstanding legal challenges and the workload of the court involved. Nevertheless, the legal sources cited by Marca consider the end of 2027 a realistic framework for the conclusion of the case.

The proceedings have been followed closely across the football world since they began more than three years ago. The judge’s refusal to grant Real Madrid’s request marks a significant moment in the case, although further appeals and the eventual decision on whether to proceed before a criminal court mean that the final timetable remains subject to change.