The Negreira case takes on an international dimension. The complex issue reached the FIFA level on Thursday. It did so within the framework of the re-election of its president, Gianni Infantino. In the subsequent press conference, the president was asked to offer his impressions on Barcelona’s payments to the former vice president of referees in Spain, José María Enríquez Negreira. His answer had a lot of dialectical fencing but he did not dodge the bulge. “Of course I observe everything that happens in national teams and clubs and when there are negative situations we are concerned, because the clubs, especially the big ones, do a lot for football, not only for the city or the country but for the whole world. . We are all human, we make mistakes and what happened will be analyzed, for example in Spain, to see how it can be solved,” Infantino argued. It is the first time he has made public statements about the Negreira case.
Infantino responded in this way after the FIFA Congress held in Kigali (Rwanda) on the judicial investigation opened in Spain for the payments of 7.3 million euros from Barcelona to Enríquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.
“We have had crises in several countries, in Italy also with big clubs involved. It’s not good for football, we all have to operate giving a positive boost, if possible, because it doesn’t help to grow animosity. It is more important to understand and find solutions,” added Infantino.
The Negreira case has also reached UEFA as the Spanish Federation also announced this Thursday that it has prepared a report by its Integrity Committee and has sent it to the governing body of European football. In fact, one of the real threats that weighs on Barcelona’s shoulders is the possibility of being expelled from continental competitions next season. Jacinto Vicente, a lawyer specializing in criminal and sports law, emphasized this aspect in statements to RAC1. “This matter is being dealt with at UEFA for a reputational reason, although if necessary, Barça could appeal,” said the lawyer.
