Spanish champions FC Barcelona have confirmed that their legal department is examining statements made by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez after he accused the Catalan club of paying a senior refereeing official for favourable treatment.
The controversy erupted following Perez’s explosive press conference after Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona, a result that effectively secured another La Liga title for the Blaugrana.
Perez Revives Negreira Case Allegations
During the press conference, Perez reignited debate surrounding the long-running “Negreira case,” which involves payments made by Barcelona between 2001 and 2018 to companies linked to former Spanish refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
Perez claimed the payments represented one of football’s biggest scandals and alleged that referees from that era continue to officiate in La Liga today. He also controversially stated that Real Madrid had been “robbed” of several league titles due to refereeing decisions.
Barcelona Responds Strongly
Barcelona responded with an official statement confirming that the club’s legal team is carefully reviewing Perez’s declarations and assessing possible next steps.
The club reiterated that any future actions or decisions would be officially communicated once internal evaluations are complete.
Negreira Case Continues to Divide Spanish Football
The Negreira investigation has remained one of the most controversial issues in Spanish football over recent years. Prosecutors have investigated payments reportedly worth over €8 million made to Negreira-linked companies, while Barcelona have consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained the payments were for consultancy and refereeing reports.
The ongoing dispute has further intensified tensions between Spain’s two biggest clubs, with recent El Clasico battles spilling beyond the pitch into legal and political territory.
Growing Institutional Tension Between Barcelona and Madrid
The latest exchange marks another chapter in the increasingly bitter rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid at administrative and institutional levels.
With the Negreira investigation still active and both clubs publicly trading accusations, the controversy is expected to continue dominating headlines across Spanish football in the coming weeks.
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