Barcelona's Negreira Case: No Bribery, but Money Laundering and Unfair Administration Charges Still Loom

The Spanish judge investigating the Negreira case has found no evidence that Barcelona paid referees to influence matches according to @partidazocope a football journalist on Twitter, but the club could still face charges of money laundering and unfair administration.

The investigation, known as the "Negreira Case," was launched in 2023 after allegations that Barcelona had paid €7 million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of the referee's committee.

However, the judge found no evidence that the payments were made in exchange for favourable refereeing decisions. Instead, the investigation indicates that Barcelona had engaged in money laundering and unfair administration. The club is accused of using shell companies to launder money and of awarding contracts to companies without proper oversight.

Ex-presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu could be implicated in the money laundering and unfair administration charges. They could be obliged to return all the mismanaged money and the fine. Prison sentences could be applied if the amount is very high and they don't return the money.

The Civic Guard is also investigating Joan Laporta and his board, but the most likely outcome is that this investigation will end in nothing.

The "Negreira Case" has been a major scandal for Barcelona, but the club is still waiting for the final decision of the judge. However, the club still faces charges of money laundering and unfair administration, and it is unclear what the outcome of these investigations will be.