Spanish media: UEFA has not received information from Spanish FA and LaLiga regarding Negreira case

According to Spanish newspaper El Debate, UEFA has not received any relevant information from the Spanish government, the High Council for Sports, the Spanish Football Federation, or LaLiga regarding the Negreira case since it came to light 44 months ago. UEFA emphasizes that the delay in issuing a ruling cannot be attributed to UEFA.

After the case emerged, UEFA, led by Aleksander Čeferin, launched a disciplinary investigation. Čeferin stated at the time: "This is the most serious corruption case ever." However, none of the relevant parties—from the Spanish government and the High Council for Sports to the Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga—conducted an investigation or submitted their findings to UEFA. No one took any action.

UEFA sources said: "The delay in issuing a ruling on this alleged sports corruption case cannot be blamed on UEFA." Given the seriousness of the case, it is primarily up to Spanish domestic parties, from the government to football governing bodies, to take action at all levels. FIFA also waited for information from the Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga but received only silence. This collective silence has created significant obstacles to the disciplinary process, potentially allowing the case to fade from public attention, but this approach has not succeeded.

The anti-corruption efforts against Turkey's refereeing system and England's actions against Manchester City's corruption issues have created a trend of reform in football, with direct implications for Spain and Barcelona. European media's position is clear: if England can severely punish a powerful club like Manchester City, UEFA should take action against Barcelona. Manchester City is viewed in this context as a primary driver of inflated transfer prices in the global football market.

A source from UEFA headquarters in Nyon stated: "This is a very clear, very straightforward case of corruption. The methods were not hidden, nor did intermediaries facilitate them."

Barcelona allegedly paid 8.4 million euros to the vice president of the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees to obtain favorable refereeing decisions. British media is pursuing this angle. The Barcelona case has become an international topic and will receive global attention alongside the Manchester City case. In Brazil and many other countries in the Americas, discussions have already begun about "sports corruption in European football involving Manchester City, Barcelona, and Turkey."

The Spanish Football Federation should submit information to UEFA

When UEFA initiates disciplinary proceedings on grounds of "alleged sports corruption," the implicated football association is required to submit monthly reports on its investigation findings.

UEFA sources said: "Over the past three years, we have not received a single report from Spain, neither from the Football Federation nor from any other party."

LaLiga, the Spanish Football Federation's Technical Committee of Referees, and the Spanish government could have launched investigations, but no action has been taken during these 44 months. Neither Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Football Federation, nor Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, took action. Tebas, acting in his own interests, has only claimed that "the Barcelona case has exceeded the statute of limitations." While this might apply under Spanish Sports Law, the case has not exceeded the statute of limitations under ordinary judicial proceedings, and certainly not at the UEFA and FIFA levels.

UEFA understands why the High Council for Sports, the Spanish Football Federation, and LaLiga have neither submitted information on the Negreira case nor conducted investigations. UEFA is aware that the Spanish government, the Football Federation, and LaLiga have deferred the matter to the Spanish judicial system. During these 44 months, the case has been handled by four different judges, some of whom have recused themselves or taken leave, allegedly under political pressure.

UEFA sources stated: "UEFA's decisions are completely independent and will remain completely independent going forward." UEFA will therefore handle the case carefully, and any rulings by national judicial bodies, including Spain's, will not influence UEFA's decisions.

Since launching its disciplinary investigation over three years ago, UEFA has been studying the Barcelona case in detail and closely monitoring its developments. UEFA notes that only Real Madrid, which it considers the main victim, has filed a complaint.

UEFA sources stated: "In our view, this alleged sports corruption case is very clear, but the final decision will be made by the Ethics Committee."

UEFA has noted that only Real Madrid has filed a complaint, without support from the Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga, two institutions that should have taken action. Sources stated: "The alleged serious corruption committed by Barcelona has harmed the interests of all other teams."

The Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga are protecting the accused team rather than the other teams considered victims, a position that puzzles UEFA headquarters. UEFA sources said: "This is truly surprising to us." For UEFA, this is a contradictory position. They also find it unusual that Atlético Madrid and many other Spanish clubs, whose interests should similarly be considered harmed by the Barcelona case, have neither spoken out nor filed complaints.

Rubiales avoids discussing the case

UEFA headquarters is thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the case. In recent months, they have been reviewing the 50,000-page report submitted by Real Madrid, which documents refereeing decisions against Real Madrid, with materials extending to the current year. Real Madrid has provided UEFA with various evidentiary materials spanning from Negreira's resignation in 2018 to the present. Real Madrid's position is that referees who worked with Negreira and were promoted during his tenure continue to make decisions that harm Real Madrid's interests. Currently, 20 individuals from the Negreira era remain on the Technical Committee of Referees.

UEFA is aware of all details of the Negreira case and remains actively engaged in the proceedings. The formal statement now issued regarding the Barcelona case and Real Madrid's detailed referee report underscores the significance of this dispute. UEFA does not issue statements unless there is something important to communicate. Months ago, UEFA officially acknowledged Real Madrid's return to the UEFA system, and now it has issued a statement indicating that it will examine the Barcelona and Negreira case, having received all materials submitted by Real Madrid.

UEFA understands the actions, inactions, and circumstances of all parties involved, and one aspect has caught their attention. UEFA sources said: "The president of the Spanish Football Federation never mentions Barcelona or Negreira by name; he refuses to refer to anything related to this matter."

This reflects Rubiales's refusal to investigate the scandal, as he has avoided engaging with the core issue. When Florentino Pérez urged Rubiales to take action, Rubiales replied: "Forget Negreira." UEFA's Ethics Committee has not forgotten the case and will render a decision.

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