Real Madrid Strikes Back: Club Unleashes Legal War Against Barcelona Over 'Millions in Damages'
Real Madrid are seeking to secure "millions in compensation" from Barcelona as the club pursues legal proceedings regarding the ongoing 'Negreira Case' that the Catalan side is contesting in court, according to recent reports.
The controversy that emerged in 2023 revolves around €8.4 million ($9.9 million) in transfers made by Barcelona to entities connected to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former La Liga official and ex-vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).
These transfers occurred across a 17-year span from 2001–2018. Although public corruption charges were dismissed in 2024 due to Negreira not being classified as a public official, the probe continues under sports corruption allegations instead.
Barcelona has consistently rejected claims that the transfers were connected to accusations of 'purchasing' referees, maintaining that Negreira was employed as a 'consultant' delivering assessments on youth talents from opposing teams and analyses concerning professional officiating.
AS reveals that on Christmas Eve, Real Madrid submitted a legal petition for Barcelona's invoices, financial audits and compliance documentation from 2010–2021, along with financial plans from 2010–2018. The request encompasses 625 documents aimed at determining how the €8.4 million in question was actually utilized and its purpose.
However, Real Madrid's objectives extend beyond simply obtaining answers about potential "influence purchasing." Reports suggest the club "will not relent," pursuing financial compensation as well. The concept is that if Barcelona did receive corrupt advantages from certain officials, their competitive achievements were connected to it, creating unfair disadvantages for Madrid and related income losses.
'Justice Will Prevail'
Former Real Madrid captain Lucas Vázquez has declared that "justice will prevail" in the Negreira Case as additional information continues to surface.
"Gradually, the facts are being revealed and we are witnessing what occurred during Negreira's tenure. Eventually, justice will prevail," Vázquez stated to AS. "This is something that requires examination and consequences … But clearly, it is not acceptable. It is not acceptable."