FC Barcelona have moved to clarify reports suggesting UEFA has reopened proceedings against the club over the Negreira case, insisting that no new disciplinary proceedings have been launched.
The Catalan club said the UEFA process dates back to 2023 and remains active, meaning the latest development involving documents submitted by Real Madrid does not constitute a fresh investigation.
In a statement, Barcelona stressed that UEFA “has not opened any new proceedings against the club,” while explaining that the original proceedings have never formally been closed.
The club said UEFA appointed two investigators in 2023 who have since carried out the actions they considered necessary. Barcelona added that it has complied with requests made by the investigators throughout the process.
“These proceedings have not been reopened because they have never been closed,” the club said, directly challenging reports describing the latest development as a reactivation of the case.
Barcelona’s clarification follows confirmation from UEFA that it had received a substantial package of documents from Real Madrid concerning the Negreira matter.
According to the Catalan giants, however, UEFA’s statement makes clear that the documents will simply be considered within the framework of the existing investigation rather than triggering a new disciplinary process.
The club pointed to UEFA’s use of the words “ongoing investigation” and “ongoing review”, arguing that the terminology demonstrates that the process has remained active since it began.
“It therefore does not announce the opening, reopening, or reactivation of any proceedings,” Barcelona stated, adding that UEFA’s communication contained no assessment of the substance or value of Real Madrid’s documentation.
Barcelona also revealed that, as of October 1, UEFA’s investigators had not made any new requests to the club or forwarded Real Madrid’s complaint to them.
The club said it would respond if investigators subsequently request information or take further action, reiterating that it has consistently cooperated with the authorities involved in the case.
What is the Negreira case?
The Negreira case centres on alleged payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
Spanish prosecutors alleged that Barcelona made payments amounting to millions of euros over a period spanning ten years. The investigation has examined whether the payments were intended to influence refereeing decisions or secure favourable treatment for Barcelona.
Barcelona has consistently denied attempting to buy refereeing influence. The club has maintained that the payments were for technical reports and consultancy services concerning referees and their performances.
Negreira’s position within Spain’s refereeing structure has nevertheless made the case particularly contentious, with the payments attracting scrutiny from Spanish judicial authorities, UEFA and rival clubs.
UEFA opened its own investigation in 2023 and subsequently allowed Barcelona to participate in European competition while the process continued. Barcelona now stresses that it has continued obtaining its UEFA licence “without objection” since the investigation began.
The latest development came after Real Madrid submitted additional documentation to UEFA. Barcelona’s statement makes clear that the investigators will decide whether those documents warrant any further action.
UEFA’s original wording, reproduced by Barcelona, said its Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors had received the documents and would “assess” them as part of their “ongoing review.”
Barcelona therefore argues that the distinction is important: the UEFA process has not been restarted, but neither has it been concluded.
The club also noted that the UEFA proceedings remain subject to the outcome of the criminal case currently being heard in Spain.
Barcelona concluded by reiterating its “full cooperation with the competent authorities” while calling for “rigour and accuracy” in reporting on the procedure.
For now, the latest development does not amount to a new UEFA case against Barcelona. Instead, Real Madrid’s submission has become additional material for investigators to consider within an investigation that has remained open since 2023.
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