The High Sports Council (CSD) has submitted a request to have the Negreira case heard in person at Investigation Court No. 1 in Barcelona. The decision, disclosed on Monday by sources within the president’s office, centers on the ongoing inquiry into payments made by FC Barcelona to a former official connected to the refereeing committee. The contours of the matter point to the former vice-president of the Referees Technical Committee (CTA) and raise questions about how those payments were processed and disclosed to the relevant authorities.
Earlier this year, the CSD confirmed its intention to participate in the lawsuit when the timing aligns with the legal process. The federation, along with LaLiga and Real Madrid, has already appeared as a party in this case, signaling a broad level of interest among major stakeholders in the governance and compliance framework surrounding football operations in Spain. The central issue remains the legality and transparency of financial arrangements connected to the former official, and how these transactions relate to the oversight of refereeing practices and neutrality in the sport.
Franco remarked on a television program that the CSD aims to participate as the proceedings advance, emphasizing that the prosecution’s initial filing with an Investigation Court must be accepted by that court before any steps toward formal processing can proceed. He noted that the legal services teams would coordinate with the organization’s broader network of advisers, ensuring that the council’s position is properly represented as the case unfolds. The comments reflect a careful, procedurally grounded approach to involvement in a high-profile matter that touches on governance, accountability, and integrity within Spanish football.
As the case moves forward, observers note the importance of clear documentation and timely updates from all parties involved. The investigation into payments linked to the former executive continues to attract attention from fans, analysts, and the wider sports community who seek to understand the potential implications for future relations between clubs, regulatory bodies, and refereeing leadership. The CSD’s approach illustrates a commitment to due process and collaborative legal engagement, while maintaining a cautious stance regarding public statements until the legal process permits broader disclosures. The developments also underscore the ongoing scrutiny of financial practices within professional football and how such scrutiny influences governance reforms and transparency initiatives across major organizations in the sport. [Cited: Internal records of the council and ongoing legal proceedings]