UEFA investigates a "possible violation of the legal framework" of FC Barcelona for the 'Negreira case'

BARCELONA, 23 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has announced this Thursday the opening of an investigation into FC Barcelona for a "possible violation" of UEFA's legal framework as a result of the 'Negreira case'.

"In accordance with article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have been appointed today to carry out an investigation into a possible breach of UEFA's legal framework by FC Barcelona in relation to the so-called 'Negreira Case'", announced the European body.

At the moment, UEFA did not give more details and only confirmed the opening of the investigation against the Blaugrana club. "Further information on this matter will be available in due course," added UEFA.

As a result of journalistic information, the so-called 'Negreira case' stood out, with more than 7 million euros paid by FC Barcelona between 2001 and 2018 to the then vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), José María Enríquez Negreira.

The club's version, in the absence of an appearance to reveal an internal investigation, is that these payments were for arbitration reports -later also scouting of young players- that Negreira sent to the entity.

The case is already being investigated by the Spanish Anti-Corruption Prosecutor, who filed a complaint against FC Barcelona and its former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu for alleged corruption for the 7.3 million euros that the club would have paid Negreira.

The Prosecutor's complaint points to possible crimes of corruption in business in the sports field, unfair administration, misappropriation and false commercial documents.