After FC Barcelona was accused of bribery by Barcelona’s Investigative Court No. 1 as part of the Negreira case, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti demanded “justice.”
On Thursday, a local court document indicated that Barca had been accused of “active bribery” in the case involving remunerations sent to the former referee chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira over an 18-year span.
It is reported that money was exchanged in order for the club to get special treatment, including DVDs with in-depth analyses of referees’ behavior patterns and written reports.
“A continuing crime of active bribery is attributed to them with respect to the legal entity of FC Barcelona and the club directors under investigation,” the paper stated.
One of the three vice presidents of the Technical Committee of Referees integrated within the Royal Spanish Football Federation was paid by FC Barcelona via intermediary firms.
“Fact not disputed; evidenced. Given that he served as the vice president of the CTA and performed public duties including approving referee applications and promoting and demoting referees, among others, EN [Enriquez Negreira] held the status of public official for criminal purposes.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stated that he was “worried” by the information in the case during a press conference following the announcement that a charge in accordance with “the crime of sports corruption of article 286bis 4th CP” had been filed.
“I am concerned about this subject, as is the entire football community, because it is so serious. Justice is working on this, therefore we must give them space to do so.
“I have spent the last 40 years immersed in the world of football, and if these kinds of problems arise, we are all concerned. Justice should be able to resolve the issue, in my opinion.
Real Madrid also issued a statement in March expressing its “deep concern” on the accusations made against Barcelona:
Real Madrid reiterates its unwavering confidence in the administration of justice while expressing its deep worry over the gravity of the facts. It has committed to show up in the proceeding as soon as the judge allows the aggrieved parties to do so in order to defend its legal interests.
