Former Barcelona coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde may face questions about corruption charges connected to the Catalan club, a situation that has drawn attention from observers and fans alike. Reports indicate that investigators are preparing to call the two former managers to testify as part of the broader inquiry into Barça’s conduct during the relevant period. The developments come as part of ongoing scrutiny over how the club handled certain financial arrangements and relationships that have raised questions about governance and integrity within the organization.
In this context, it has been reported that the Spanish prosecutor’s office intends to obtain testimony from individuals associated with Barça’s leadership to better understand the complex web of interactions that potentially influenced the club’s competitive edge. The prosecutor’s office is pursuing a comprehensive account of the club’s internal decision-making processes and the extent to which external advice and guidance may have affected results on the field, as investigators seek to clarify the record and ensure accountability where warranted.
Earlier reporting highlighted an investigation into payments made by the Catalan club to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, who formerly served as vice-president of the referees technical committee of the Spanish Football Federation. The case has attracted substantial attention as investigators examine whether financial transactions were used to influence officiating or to secure favorable conditions for the club, and whether any such actions would constitute improper conduct under applicable laws and regulations.
The Ciudad Condal prosecutor’s office has reported that the club transferred roughly 1.4 million euros to the company owned by Negreira. Specific sums cited include about 532,000 euros in 2016, approximately 541,000 euros in 2017, and around 318,000 euros in 2018. These figures have been central to the public discourse surrounding the case, prompting questions about the nature of the payments and their intended purpose within the broader framework of football governance and compliance.
Negreira and his son have already testified as part of the investigation. Negreira has asserted that the payments were connected to his work as a consultant and to clarify rules, arguing that they did not provide any advantage to Barcelona in terms of refereeing decisions. Despite this claim, the public record shows that the individual has not furnished conclusive evidence of a formal consulting agreement or documented collaboration with the club, leading analysts to call for transparency and a thorough review of the available documentation to determine whether any improper influence occurred.
Former Spanish La Liga President Javier Tebas has spoken about the corruption scandal surrounding Barcelona, emphasizing the significance of due process, accountability, and the role of governance in maintaining the integrity of domestic football. The ongoing discourse reflects a broader commitment within the league to address concerns about misconduct and to uphold standards that protect the sport’s reputation for fairness and competitive balance.