FILE PHOTO: Real Madrid’s Croatian midfielder Luka Modrić (R) scores a goal during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 24, 2020. (Photo by Lluís Gene/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain’s Clásico, the showdown between giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, is one of the world’s biggest sporting occasions. Yet the build‑up to Sunday’s La Liga clash has been eclipsed by the “Caso Negreira”. Spanish prosecutors have charged Barcelona with corruption for payments made between 2001 and 2018 to the company of former refereeing chief José María Enríquez Negreira, amounting to roughly €7.3 million ($7.8 million). The club claims the money was for reports and advice on refereeing, but prosecutors allege it was intended to secure favourable decisions from officials.
Last week, charges were filed against Barcelona, former vice‑president of Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA) Negreira, and two former Barcelona presidents, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, among others. Although Barcelona, the current La Liga leaders, could virtually clinch the title by beating second‑place Real Madrid on Sunday and extending their lead to 12 points, headlines remain dominated by the Negreira case, and tensions are rising across Spain.
In the first round of fixtures after Barcelona were charged, protests against the alleged corruption appeared at various stadiums, most visibly in the Basque Country, where Xavi Hernández’s side faced Athletic Bilbao. Supporters threw mock money printed with “mafia” and Barcelona’s emblem onto the pitch. After a narrow 1‑0 win, Xavi said, “I was surprised at the hostile atmosphere towards Barca; it was sad to see. Barça are being judged prematurely, which I don’t think is good for society.”
When the payments to Negreira’s company were uncovered in February, Barcelona responded quickly, denying any wrongdoing. President Joan Laporta announced an external investigation and promised prompt answers, yet the club has not held a press conference to address questions, drawing criticism from La Liga president Javier Tebas. “Yes, it’s the worst moment I remember,” Tebas told Movistar’s Vamos on Tuesday. “There are payments recognised by Barcelona to the vice‑president of the CTA; that’s abnormal. It’s understandable that tension is generated. The reputation of our football is at stake. I am ashamed. We have no explanation from Barcelona.”
Laporta later spoke at a lunch event with the Equestrian Circle in Barcelona, claiming there was a “campaign” to damage the club’s interests. “Let it be clear: Barça have never bought referees and have never intended to buy referees, absolutely never,” he said. Some, including Tebas, have accused Laporta and Barcelona of playing the victim.
Last Sunday, Real Madrid joined the proceedings against Barcelona as an “injured party,” alongside the CTA, the Spanish football federation, La Liga and Spain’s national sports council. Consequently, Barcelona will not host the traditional directors’ lunch with Real Madrid and its president, Florentino Pérez, ahead of the Clásico, according to Spanish reports. After a period of relatively friendly relations—both clubs had collaborated on the failed European Super League plan—this marks a cooling of ties. Pérez, however, faces pressure from Madrid supporters demanding action against Barcelona.
Tebas reiterated on Thursday that he does not believe Barcelona bought referees, but warned that “hiding is not the way” and that the club must provide full answers. He also noted that no sporting punishment can be imposed on Barcelona because the alleged infringements occurred too long ago.
On Friday, Laporta turned to social media to shift focus back to the Clásico, urging fans to rally behind the team as they close in on their first La Liga title since 2019. “We will defend ourselves and we will attack, but now I want us to concentrate on cheering the team on,” he wrote. “We shouldn’t have our attention diverted by other things. Let’s support Barça because we love them.”
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