Barcelona’s Negreira Scandal Deepens: Laporta, Enrique, and Valverde Testify

Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, took the stand on Friday as part of the ongoing investigation into the Negreira scandal. The high-profile testimony lasted nearly an hour, during which Laporta addressed the court regarding the €7.3 million payments made to former refereeing committee vice-president José María Enríquez Negreira and his son Javier between 2001 and 2018. Despite the weight of the allegations, Laporta refrained from making any comments to the media following his testimony.

Laporta contended that these payments were a legacy from previous administrations and claimed that upon assuming his role as president, he was advised by the sporting department to continue them due to the perceived value of the reports on referees. He firmly asserted that during this period, referees did not show favoritism towards Barcelona, emphasizing that his team was a global benchmark in football excellence. Furthermore, according to Cadena SER, Laporta stated that he had never met Negreira personally and described the reports as “very elaborate.”

Testimonies from Former Coaches

In addition to Laporta’s testimony, former Barcelona coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde also provided statements in this case. Enrique, who managed the club from 2014 to 2017, claimed he was unaware of any such referee reports. Valverde, who held the reins from 2017 to 2020, echoed this sentiment by stating he had never seen these reports and didn’t know if they existed at all. He noted that even if they had been available, he wouldn’t have utilized them in his coaching strategy.

Both coaches participated via videoconference as Laporta chose to appear in person at Court No. 13 in Barcelona’s Cité de la Justice. The investigation continues to unfold with upcoming testimonies scheduled for 2026, featuring FC Barcelona representative Elena Fort and former president Joan Gaspart. The club faces serious charges as a legal entity for potential corruption within sports.

Implications for FC Barcelona

The ramifications of this scandal are profound for FC Barcelona, which is currently under scrutiny for its financial dealings related to referees. As investigations progress, the football community watches closely how these developments might impact the club’s reputation and operations moving forward. This case not only raises questions about ethical practices within football but also highlights issues of governance at one of the sport’s most storied institutions.

The Negreira affair continues to cast a shadow over FC Barcelona as it navigates through legal challenges that could redefine its legacy. With testimonies revealing conflicting accounts regarding knowledge of referee interactions, fans and analysts alike are left pondering: how will this scandal reshape the landscape of Spanish football?