Barcelona’s recent respite from off-field issues has been short-lived, as new allegations emerge in the ongoing investigation into the club’s payments to José María Enríquez Negreira, former Vice-President of Spain’s Referees Committee. Having previously been questioned over €7.5 million in payments to companies linked to Negreira for “consultancy fees” over 17 years, Barcelona now finds itself facing further inquiries involving a real estate company with ties to a former director.
The latest focus of the investigation is a payment of €180,000 made by Barcelona to Best Norton SL, a real estate firm formerly owned by the late Josep Contreras, a former director at the club. Due to the age of the transactions, Barcelona has reportedly been unable to provide clear explanations for these payments, according to the Spanish sports daily Sport. This has prompted the national police to seek access to Best Norton’s financial records in an effort to trace the flow of funds and determine if any irregularities are present.
Authorities are still investigating the primary allegations of sporting corruption and potential bribery within Barcelona’s financial dealings. Payments to Negreira’s companies have raised suspicions due to a lack of verifiable evidence detailing the services rendered. Although the funds were ostensibly directed toward consultancy for match officiating insights, investigators have yet to find records substantiating these claims or detailing the specific nature of the services. Furthermore, while the bribery charge initially included allegations of influencing a public official, legal analysts suggest this may not apply, as Negreira’s role may not qualify him as a public official under Spanish law.
Despite the mounting scrutiny, Barcelona has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, and there remains no evidence directly implicating the club in match-fixing or manipulation. However, the investigation’s expansion to include Best Norton SL indicates that law enforcement remains committed to exploring all financial channels associated with the Negreira payments. The broader investigation could have significant implications for the club’s reputation and its governance, particularly as it comes at a time when Barcelona has been seeking financial stability following recent high-profile fiscal challenges.
As the probe continues, Barcelona maintains its stance of cooperation, emphasising that no conclusive proof has been presented to substantiate any allegations of misconduct. However, the club’s involvement with questionable payments to entities linked to former officials has sparked significant debate in Spanish media and among football fans. For now, Barcelona’s off-field troubles are far from over, as investigators delve deeper into financial records that may shed light on one of Spanish football’s most controversial financial inquiries in recent years.
