UEFA receives Real Madrid evidence in Barcelona referee payments case

Real Madrid have stepped up their campaign for UEFA to act in the long-running investigation into alleged payments by Barcelona to former referee official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

UEFA confirmed on Thursday that it had received multiple documents submitted by Real Madrid in relation to the case, which concerns payments allegedly made over several seasons to Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees.

The Spanish club has previously argued that Barcelona should face serious sporting sanctions if wrongdoing is proven. It is now calling on UEFA to complete its investigation as quickly as possible.

Real Madrid said the material sent to European football’s governing body included evidence of what it described as serious concerns over the integrity of football competitions and trust in the refereeing system.

“UEFA has confirmed the receipt of the complaint filed by Real Madrid and the continuation of the investigation concerning payments made over the past two decades by Barcelona to the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees,” the club said.

The club added that its complaint included “extensive documentation and evidence” relating to events it believes may have affected the integrity of competition.

Real Madrid said UEFA should now proceed urgently because it had received the additional material.

“Real Madrid considers it essential that, now that UEFA has this documentation, the investigation proceeds with the utmost urgency until its full conclusion,” the statement continued.

The club also said it would maintain its co-operation with UEFA and pursue any further action available to it in an effort to establish what happened.

“Real Madrid will continue to actively collaborate with UEFA and take all actions within its power to clarify events that it deems incompatible with the principles of integrity, transparency, and fair play that should govern European football.”

The Negreira case remains one of the most contentious issues in Spanish football. The allegations, and the possible sporting consequences for Barcelona if wrongdoing is established, have continued to attract significant attention.

UEFA’s investigation is ongoing.