The 1.4 million euro payment made by FC Barcelona to DASNIL 95 SL, connected to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, drew urgent scrutiny from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The federation, which had long relied on a system of technical support and refereeing oversight, faced pressure to clarify the motives and outcomes connected to this arrangement. A public figure involved in football governance stated that he would pursue any legal action deemed necessary to resolve the matter. The comment underscored the level of concern surrounding payments that could influence the integrity of competitions and referee decisions. It also highlighted the broader question of how financial ties between clubs and individuals connected to federation workstreams might affect on-field decisions.
In the wake of governance changes within the RFEF, including elections that led to new leadership in 2018, the organization signaled intent to review the entire mechanism that facilitated the payments. The new leadership asked for information from responsible bodies, including those connected to the CTA, in order to gain a complete picture of the reimbursement chain. The committee responsible for integrity launched a formal information request, seeking all relevant records and documents to determine whether the arrangement had any bearing on the impartial conduct of referees or the governance of the federation. FC Barcelona asserted its position in relation to the probe, reinforcing that transparency was essential for restoring confidence across the sport.
“There are only three words Enríquez Negreira knows: Mercedes, Chivas and Davidoff”
In the broader context, the crisis touched multiple layers of football administration. The federation publicly noted that no conflicts of interest had been declared by the many individuals who served on various committees and departments. A formal statement, signed by all members of the disciplinary panels, outlined how potential incomes would be tracked and reported. The aim was to ensure that any financial matters connected to the federation would be documented clearly and reviewed for possible conflicts of interest. The monitoring framework was intended to verify that decisions remained independent of personal gain or external pressures.
The RFEF also stressed that the inquiry was not about preemptively accusing anyone but about ensuring that information was complete and verifiable. When the information gathered meets the standards required by law and federation rules, appropriate steps would be taken within the applicable legal framework. The emphasis remained on transparency, accountability, and safeguarding the integrity of national football competition. The federation reaffirmed its commitment to a rigorous examination of all financial interactions related to governance and competition management, with the goal of upholding the trust of players, clubs, fans, and other stakeholders.