Negreira case enters decisive phase after Real Madrid’s extension bid rejected

The Negreira case is moving towards a new stage in the Spanish courts after the preliminary investigation ended, with final hearings scheduled for November.

A final ruling is not expected before the middle of 2027, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, because several procedural steps remain before the case can be concluded.

Judge Alejandra Gil brought the preliminary investigation to an end after rejecting Real Madrid’s request for a further six-month extension. The court is due to hear several witnesses in November, including Gerard Lopez, before deciding whether the case should proceed to trial or be dismissed.

Those hearings will mark an important point in the proceedings. Once they have been completed, the court will have to determine the next legal route for the case, including whether there is sufficient basis for a trial.

The November sessions are therefore expected to clarify whether the investigation develops into a full court case or ends without further action. However, even if the proceedings move forward, the estimated timetable means a final judgment is unlikely until mid-2027.

Real Madrid urges Uefa to act

Alongside the Spanish court process, Real Madrid is pressing Uefa to reactivate its own examination of the case and reach a decision concerning Barcelona.

Uefa began its procedures in March 2023 but has yet to announce a final position. Real Madrid submitted a report to the European governing body in an effort to push the matter towards a conclusion.

Uefa is not legally required to wait for the Spanish courts to finish their proceedings before making its own decision. It can therefore act independently of the domestic legal process and reach a separate conclusion.

The Spanish ruling nevertheless remains an important part of the case’s development. The attention now turns to the November hearings, which could determine whether the Negreira case reaches trial or remains at the investigation stage.