The Executive Committee of LaLigamade up of several clubs in the Spanish first and second division, expressed “deep concern” with the facts investigated in the Negreira case, about alleged payments made by Barcelona to a company owned by a former head of football refereeing in Spain.
“LaLiga and its Delegate Committee reject and repudiate the facts and are deeply concerned and are actively working to clarify any irregularities that may have occurred in connection with the Negreira case, whether of a sporting nature or of any other nature,” reads the statement from the organizer of the Spanish Championship.
The body added that it follows the matter “very closely” and that it will act “firmly within the powers and limits that the law allows”.
The newspaper El Mundo reported last Friday that Barcelona have paid more than 6 million euros since 2001 to José María Enríquez Negreira, who was vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) between 1994 and 2018, to advise the club on arbitration matters.
According to the same newspaper, Barcelona dismissed his services in 2018, coinciding with his departure from the CTA.
On Monday, Sevilla and Espanyol published statements on their respective websites showing concern and indignation at the information revealed.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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