Chronological coverage updated 1st October 2026 23:00.
Update 1 · 1st October 2026
Real Madrid Submits Dossier to UEFA in Barcelona Referee Payments Investigation
Real Madrid has submitted a dossier to UEFA containing what it describes as evidence of extraordinary gravity regarding historic payments made by Barcelona to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee. European football's governing body confirmed that its ethics and disciplinary inspectors will assess the material as part of an ongoing review into the matter.
The controversy centres on allegations that Barcelona paid 8.4 million euros (£7.2 million) to Negreira between 2001 and 2018. The document submitted by Real Madrid is reported to be more than 50,000 pages in length. Real Madrid stated that the file directly affects the integrity of the competition and confidence in the refereeing system, urging governing officials to conclude the investigation rapidly and issue corresponding decisions based on proven facts.
An estimated 8.4 million euros (£7.2 million) was paid by FC Barcelona to former Spanish referees' committee vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018..
Barcelona Response and Legal Status
Barcelona has consistently denied any wrongdoing since the allegations surfaced in 2023, maintaining that the money paid was strictly for scouting and technical reports on match officials provided by Negreira and his company, Dasnil 95. Responding to the latest filing, Barcelona noted that UEFA has not initiated new proceedings against the club, as the investigation opened in 2023 was never formally closed.
BBC News reportedly quoted FC Barcelona (Official club statement responding to Real Madrid's filing with UEFA) as saying: “Proceedings were initiated in 2023, with the appointment of two investigators who have since carried out the action they deemed appropriate.”.
The club added that it has complied with all investigator requests and pointed out that UEFA inspectors have not forwarded Real Madrid's complaint to Barcelona or issued new demands. Barcelona stressed that the governing body's file remains subject to the outcome of ongoing criminal proceedings in Spain.
In June 2023, UEFA investigators determined that Barcelona would not face immediate disciplinary exclusion, allowing the club to continue competing in European tournaments. Meanwhile, La Liga president Javier Tebas explained in March 2023 that Spain's domestic sports body could not take sanctioning action because the matter was time-barred under sports law, although criminal law proceedings remain active.
- UEFA inspectors are reviewing a massive dossier provided by Real Madrid concerning Barcelona's payments to Negreira.
- Barcelona denies allegations of bribery, asserting payments were for legitimate technical and scouting advice.
- The case remains under active criminal investigation in Spain.