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FC Barcelona is in the eye of the storm both in sports and institutionally. The Catalan Sports Tribunal has recently confirmed that the most severe sporting consequences for the FC Barcelona are feasible. The 'Negreira case' could result in the team's relegation to Segunda División and/or the loss of all the cups won during the period under suspicion, from 2001 to 2018, including the last Champions League.
In the 'RAC1' media, the president of the mentioned tribunal, Joan Xiol, pointed out the possible punishments that could fall on the 'Blaugranas', if found guilty. "Relegation can occur. UEFA can judge events that have no international significance. If they become aware of irregularities, they can have the competence to act,” said the authority.
The director also mentioned that another punishment for the club could be "the possibility of losing titles" and permanent exclusion from European competitions. "Sanctions could be imposed that would involve the expulsion of Barça from UEFA competitions. A temporary or definitive expulsion," he said.
Xiol explained that both the Spanish Football Federation and UEFA can impose sanctions regardless of the result of the investigation in the courts. In this regard, he emphasized that corruption is a particularly serious issue for the mentioned entities, and therefore, drastic measures would be taken if any irregularities are discovered.
What is the 'Negreira Case'?
According to reports, Barcelona made 33 payments to José María Enríquez Negreira for a total amount of 1,685,142 euros, as reported by the newspaper 'El Mundo'. The payment documents were submitted to the Tax Office between 2016 and 2018, precisely when Negreira was Vice President of the Technical Committee of Referees, according to the same newspaper.
The mentioned media also reported that Negreira received 6,659,488 euros from Barça since 2001, which would imply the first stage of Joan Laporta's presidency, who would have increased payments to the then vice president of the CTA. According to this information, both Joan Gaspart and later Laporta, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu continued to make payments.
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