Tracing the thread of the Negreira affair reveals a tangled web of information exchanges and institutional responses. The case has prompted varied reactions from different bodies, and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has stated its readiness to cooperate with the judiciary, offering any data or records that could help clarify the matter. Allegations center on payments made to a former referee and former vice-chair of the Technical Committee of Referees, reportedly amounting to 1.6 million euros from FC Barcelona, with invoices published by El Mundo and reported by Cadena SER underscoring the nature of those payments for arbitration assessments.
Enríquez Negreira: under scrutiny, not Barcelona
Will the RFEF intervene in the investigation? Generally no, unless specifically requested by justice authorities. At present, the Barcelona public prosecutor’s office is handling the case, focusing on Mr. Enrique Negreira as the individual under investigation following a tax audit. There is no current probe into FC Barcelona by the public prosecutor’s office, and no evidence to suggest the club has committed a crime. Nevertheless, the publicized journalistic reports and the accompanying invoices have caused considerable concern within the RFEF and the CTA, which have made the information available to the judiciary for review.
RFEF statutes and potential sanctions
It is prudent to consider what sanctions FC Barcelona might face if the facts warrant action. The RFEF statutes address such matters in article 22, which covers the basic rights and duties of members. The text emphasizes adherence to loyalty, integrity, and sportsmanship grounded in the principles of fair play, with a clear obligation to avoid actions that compromise the integrity of the RFEF or its leagues or that discredit football.
Further clarification states that members should refrain from accepting or giving gifts or any profit that could be viewed as excessive, including invitations from third parties with an interest in the RFEF’s future decisions. This language illustrates the emphasis on transparency and the avoidance of perceived influence or conflicts of interest within the federation.
Sports discipline and when a decline may be possible
When discussing sanctions, one must reference the Royal Decree on Sports Discipline (1591/1992). Article 14 addresses very serious infringements and lays out penalties such as demotion or loss of category if proven facts demonstrate actions intended to predetermine outcomes of matches or competitions through price manipulation, intimidation, or explicit arrangements. In other words, the decree provides a framework for disciplinary measures should a club be documented as having influenced or predetermined a result.
The CTA offers support to the Ministry of Justice
The Technical Committee of Referees has expressed regret over the ethical implications of the developing story for the arbitration institution. Within the arbitration community, the Negreira case is viewed by many as a potential conflict of interest issue. The CTA has publicly offered its full cooperation to the Ministry of Justice, indicating it will provide any information it can to assist investigators and ensure a transparent process.
Relegation as a possible sanction within the Royal Decree on Sports Discipline
The legal framework surrounding sports governance includes the potential for relegation as a sanction under the Royal Decree on Sports Discipline. This provision underscores the seriousness with which the authorities view actions that undermine fair competition. While the precise application depends on the evidence presented and the determination of the judiciary, the possibility of serious penalties remains a central element of the governance model for Spanish football.
Source: Goal