Barcelona Former Presidents Break Silence in Negreira Case Court Testimony – Explosive Corruption Trial Details Revealed

Former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu have delivered crucial testimony in the ongoing Negreira case corruption trial, with explosive details emerging from their court appearances that could determine the fate of one of football’s most controversial scandals. The pair faced questioning over €7.5 million in payments made to former referee committee vice-president José María Enríquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018, with both men vehemently denying any wrongdoing while offering dramatically different explanations for the controversial relationship.

Court Drama Unfolds as Key Testimonies Begin

The long-awaited testimonies took place at Barcelona’s Palace of Justice on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in the two-and-a-half-year investigation that has rocked Spanish football.

Both former presidents appeared as defendants in the sporting corruption case, facing allegations that could result in significant financial penalties and lasting damage to the club’s reputation.

Rosell, who oversaw approximately €1.5 million in payments to Negreira’s company Dasnil 95, entered the courthouse flanked by his legal team, declining to comment to the waiting media. His successor Bartomeu, responsible for €5.5 million in payments during his presidency, also maintained silence before his appearance.

Rosell’s Defiant Defense: “How Can We Buy Referees With €250?”

In what has become the most quoted line from the proceedings, Sandro Rosell delivered a scathing dismissal of the corruption allegations, asking rhetorically: “With €250 per report, how can you buy someone?” His testimony painted a picture of a Barcelona side so dominant during his tenure that referee assistance would have been unnecessary and ineffective.

Rosell’s Key Defense Points:

• Barcelona had “the best team in the world” with Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué
• The club was “winning in Spain and Europe” on merit alone
• Negreira had “zero influence” within the referee committee structure
• Historical CTA presidents have been “Real Madrid fanatics”

Rosell went further, challenging investigators to review every match from the period in question with independent referee experts to prove Barcelona received no favorable treatment. His testimony suggested the case was driven by “sour grapes” from rivals, particularly Real Madrid, who appear as claimants in the proceedings.

Bartomeu’s Testimony: Inherited Contract and Unknown Connections

Josep Maria Bartomeu took a different approach in his defense, claiming ignorance about the true nature of the relationship with Negreira’s operation. The former president acknowledged awareness of payments for consultancy services but insisted he was unaware of Negreira’s identity or role in Spanish football’s referee structure.

Bartomeu’s Testimony Highlights:

• Inherited the contract from predecessors without investigation
• Only learned of Javier Enríquez’s involvement in 2013 through casual conversation
• Confirmed existence of over 600 reports and 50 DVDs produced by Enríquez
• Payments ended in 2018 due to club financial cutbacks, not Negreira’s departure from CTA

Bartomeu’s legal team argued that since the reports were delivered as contracted, no crime of mismanagement occurred, while the absence of evidence showing referee bribery negates sporting corruption charges.

Bombshell Testimony from Negreira’s Son Creates Doubt

Perhaps the most damaging testimony came from Javier Enríquez Romero, Negreira’s son and the author of hundreds of referee reports for Barcelona. In a stunning development, Enríquez Romero allegedly testified that the money Barcelona paid “had nothing to do” with the reports he produced, directly contradicting the club’s long-standing defense.

However, Enríquez Romero later disputed media reports about his testimony, creating confusion about his actual statements in court. His testimony revealed he also produced similar reports for other clubs including Villarreal, Espanyol, Castellón, Girona, and Valencia, charging comparable rates across the market.

The Financial Web: Missing Millions and Unexplained Income

Investigators have uncovered additional financial mysteries surrounding the Negreira operation, including over €3 million in unexplained income found in accounts belonging to Negreira’s wife, Ana Paula Rufas, between 1992 and 2003. Rufas exercised her right to remain silent when called to testify, adding another layer of intrigue to the case.

Financial Investigation Findings:

• €7.5 million from Barcelona to Dasnil 95 (2001-2018)
• €3 million unexplained income in Rufas’s accounts (1992-2003)
• 45% commission taken by deceased Barcelona director Josep Contreras
• Monthly payments of €6,000-€7,000 per invoice during peak period

The complexity of the financial arrangements has led prosecutors to extend the investigation timeline, with Real Madrid requesting the case continue into 2026 to allow for comprehensive financial analysis.

Legal Stakes and Potential Consequences

The Negreira case represents one of the most significant sporting corruption investigations in Spanish football history, with implications extending far beyond financial penalties. If convicted of sporting corruption, Barcelona could face fines up to €5 million, compounding their existing financial struggles under La Liga’s salary cap restrictions.

Potential Legal Outcomes:

• Sporting Corruption Conviction: Up to €5 million fine
• Reputation Damage: Long-term impact on club’s global standing
• UEFA Investigation: Separate European competition implications
• Civil Claims: Multiple La Liga clubs seeking damages

The case has already survived challenges, including a May 2024 court ruling that dismissed direct bribery charges after determining Negreira wasn’t considered a public official under Spanish law. However, the broader sporting corruption charges remain active.

Timeline of Upcoming Testimonies and Key Witnesses

The court proceedings are scheduled to continue with high-profile witnesses from Barcelona’s recent history, including current president Joan Laporta, who will testify as a witness rather than defendant due to statute of limitations protections for his earlier presidency.

Former coaches Luis Enrique Martínez and Ernesto Valverde are expected to provide insight into how referee reports were utilized during their tenures, while former executives Albert Soler and Òscar Grau will face questions about their roles in approving the controversial payments.

Barcelona’s Defense Strategy and Public Position

Throughout the investigation, Barcelona has maintained a consistent position that all payments were legitimate consulting fees for referee analysis reports designed to help prepare teams for matches. Current president Joan Laporta has dismissed the probe as a “witch hunt,” while the club’s annual financial report states that no evidence of sporting corruption has been found.

The club’s defense rests on several key arguments:

• Reports were delivered as contracted, negating fraud allegations
• No evidence exists of actual referee manipulation
• Payments were market-rate for professional consulting services
• Barcelona’s on-field success made referee assistance unnecessary

Industry Impact and Broader Implications

The Negreira case has sent shockwaves through Spanish football, with other La Liga clubs expressing “deep concern” and joining as claimants seeking damages. The case has raised fundamental questions about governance, transparency, and ethical standards in professional football.

UEFA’s parallel investigation adds another dimension to Barcelona’s challenges, potentially affecting their participation in European competitions depending on findings and sanctions. The case has also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory oversight of relationships between clubs and football officials.

What Comes Next: Critical Weeks Ahead

As testimonies continue through the coming months, the focus shifts to whether prosecutors can establish definitive proof that Barcelona’s payments to Negreira were intended to manipulate sporting outcomes or that such manipulation actually occurred. The burden of proof remains high, requiring solid evidence of criminal intent rather than circumstantial connections.

The revelations from recent testimonies have added new complexity to a case already characterized by conflicting narratives, missing evidence, and financial mysteries. With key witnesses yet to testify and investigations potentially extending into 2026, the Negreira case continues to cast a shadow over one of football’s most successful clubs.

For Barcelona, the stakes couldn’t be higher as they navigate both sporting ambitions and legal jeopardy in what could become the defining corruption case of modern Spanish football.

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