By Adegboyega Adeleye UEFA is continuing its review of the Negreira case involving Barcelona after Real Madrid submitted a substantial amount of new documents to European football’s governing body.
According to Sky Sports, UEFA confirmed that its Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors had received the latest documents from Real Madrid and would assess them as part of their ongoing review of the case, which concerns payments made by Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
The development has prompted contrasting statements from Real Madrid and Barcelona over the status of the UEFA proceedings. On Thursday, Real Madrid said UEFA had confirmed receipt of its complaint and the continuation of the investigation into payments made by Barcelona to Negreira over two decades.
The Madrid club said its complaint contained extensive documentation and evidence concerning what it described as events of “extraordinary seriousness” that directly affect the integrity of competition and confidence in the refereeing system. Real Madrid also called for the investigation to proceed with “the utmost urgency” until its full conclusion, with the competent bodies taking decisions according to the severity of the facts established.
The club added that it would continue to actively cooperate with UEFA and take all actions within its power to clarify what it considers incompatible with the principles of integrity, transparency and fair play in European football. UEFA, meanwhile, said: “UEFA can confirm that it has received from Real Madrid CF a substantial amount of documents related to the ongoing investigation into FC Barcelona” in the matter involving Negreira.
“The UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspectors have also received these latest documents, which they will assess as part of their ongoing review.” Reports indicate that Real Madrid’s dossier runs to more than 50,000