UEFA issued a statement earlier today regarding the Negreira case involving FC Barcelona.
The European governing body confirmed that it had received a substantial dossier related to the ongoing investigation into the Catalans in the matter involving the payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former vice-president of the CTA.
UEFA also stated that “the UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have also received these latest documents, which they will assess as part of their ongoing review of the case.”
The statement was perceived as UEFA opening a new investigation file against Barcelona, with Real Madrid themselves issuing a statement urging the governing body to conduct a swift investigation and hand out sanctions.
Barcelona respond with a statement
Barcelona have now issued an official statement responding to the development.
The Catalans’ position is that UEFA has simply confirmed that it has received the documentation submitted by Real Madrid. According to the club, the European governing body has not stated that it is reopening a disciplinary file or opening a new one.
At war.(Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
In their statement, the Blaugrana also insisted that they had been and will continue to fully co-operate with UEFA in their investigation into the matter.
The Catalans also reiterate that they have not received any new requests from UEFA with regard to the case nor have they been sent the complaint and the dossier submitted by Real Madrid.
Full Statement
“In response to reports about a possible reactivation of UEFA’s investigation into the Negreira case, FC Barcelona wishes to make the following clarifications:
“UEFA has not opened any new disciplinary proceedings against FC Barcelona. The proceedings began in 2023 with the appointment of two investigators, who have since carried out the actions they deemed necessary.
“The Club has always complied with all their requests. These proceedings have not been reopened because they were never closed.”
“The UEFA statement confirms receipt of documentation submitted by Real Madrid and that investigators will assess it within the framework of the existing investigation. The statement explicitly refers, on two occasions, to an ongoing investigation and review.”
“Therefore, it does not announce the opening, reopening, or reactivation of any case, nor does it contain any pronouncement on the substance or value of the submitted documentation.
“It is up to the investigators to determine what actions they deem appropriate regarding this documentation.
“As of today, they have not made any new requests to FC Barcelona nor have they forwarded Real Madrid’s complaint to the Club. When they do, the Club will respond appropriately, as it has done thus far.
“In accordance with the applicable legislation, this file is subject to the outcome of the criminal proceedings taking place in Spain and will remain therein.
“Since the start of the investigation, FC Barcelona has continued to obtain UEFA licenses without objection and has participated in its competitions.
“FC Barcelona reiterates its full cooperation with the competent authorities and requests rigor and precision in the reporting of this procedure.”