Joan Laporta Denies Barcelona Received Refereeing Favors for Negreira Payments as Luis Enrique and Valverde Say They Never Saw Reports

Joan Laporta testified before Judge Alejandra Gil on December 12, 2025, denying that Barcelona paid José María Enríquez Negreira and his son to influence referees, insisting the club “was an example in the world” and needed no such favors. The Barcelona president’s testimony came alongside former managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, who both stated they had no knowledge of the alleged refereeing reports that supposedly justified the €7.5 million payments over 18 years.

The Negreira case continues to shake Spanish football to its foundations, with Barcelona facing allegations of sporting corruption after payments totaling approximately €8.4 million were made to companies linked to Negreira between 2001 and 2018. While former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu face corruption charges, Joan Laporta testified as a witness after charges against him were dropped due to statute of limitations, as his first presidential term ended in 2010.

Joan Laporta’s Testimony: “Barcelona Was an Example to the World”

Joan Laporta spent nearly an hour being interrogated at Barcelona’s Ciutat de la Justicia, where he emphatically defended Barcelona’s innocence in the Negreira affair. The Barcelona president maintained that the club paid for services that were actually performed, specifically reports on referees that were sometimes delivered verbally rather than in written format.

“We paid for reports, never to favor Barca,” Joan Laporta told reporters after his testimony. “At that time, Barca was admired worldwide. An example and a benchmark in football. We didn’t need any favors.” The Barcelona president emphasized that during the period when players like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández, and Andrés Iniesta graced the Camp Nou, the club’s quality was sufficient to win titles without requiring refereeing assistance.

Key Points from Joan Laporta’s Testimony

Joan Laporta revealed that he never personally knew Negreira or his son, Javier Enríquez Romero, and never discussed the payments with his predecessor Josep Maria Bartomeu. The Barcelona president explained that when he returned to the presidency, the Sporting Commission informed him the payments were worth continuing because they provided useful technical reports and scouting information for the team.

Critically, Joan Laporta admitted that the reports from his first presidential term (2003-2010) had not been preserved. “In fact, I don’t know Negreira or anyone from his circle. I’ve never had any contact with them. I inherited those payments, I asked the sporting director, and they told us to proceed with the reports,” the Barcelona president stated, acknowledging the absence of documentation from his earlier tenure.

Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde: No Knowledge of Reports

Both former Barcelona managers testified via videoconference on December 12, 2025, due to their current work commitments with Paris Saint-Germain and Athletic Club respectively. Their testimonies were brief but significant, as both coaches unequivocally stated they had no knowledge of the refereeing reports allegedly produced by Negreira and his son.

Luis Enrique, who managed Barcelona from 2014 to 2017, winning the treble in his first season, confirmed he never received or reviewed any reports from Negreira’s companies. The current PSG manager’s testimony aimed to clarify whether the alleged reports had any real impact on match preparation during one of Barcelona’s most successful periods.

Ernesto Valverde, who succeeded Luis Enrique and managed Barcelona from 2017 to 2020, winning consecutive La Liga titles, provided similar testimony. The current Athletic Club manager revealed that his current club also produces refereeing reports, but he personally does not use them when preparing for matches. Valverde emphasized he had no awareness of Negreira’s reports during his time at Barcelona.

Former Barcelona Managers’ Testimony Timeline

The testimonies of Luis Enrique and Valverde raise critical questions about Barcelona’s defense that the payments were for legitimate consultancy services. If two of the club’s most recent and successful managers never received or used these reports, prosecutors may question what services were actually provided in exchange for the €7.5 million paid over nearly two decades.

What is the Negreira Case?

The Negreira case emerged in February 2023 when Spanish media reported that Barcelona had paid approximately €7.5 million to €8.4 million to companies controlled by José María Enríquez Negreira, who served as vice president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) from 1994 to 2018. The payments occurred throughout Negreira’s tenure in this influential position, raising immediate suspicions of potential sporting corruption.

Barcelona initially explained that they hired Negreira’s services as an external consultant to provide technical reports on refereeing performance and tendencies. The club claimed these reports helped complement information requested by coaching staff and were standard practice in professional football. However, investigating authorities have expressed dissatisfaction with this explanation, noting the absence of substantial documentation proving services were rendered.

Timeline of Negreira Case Developments

The case has evolved significantly since its initial revelation, with charges being modified based on legal interpretations of Negreira’s status. In May 2024, a Spanish court ruled that Negreira could not be considered a public official under Spanish law, dismissing the official bribery charges. However, the investigation continued under allegations of sporting corruption, a charge that does not require public official status.

Where Did the €7.5 Million Go?

One of the most perplexing aspects of the Negreira case remains the final destination of the payments. According to judicial sources, investigators have not definitively traced where the €7.5 million ultimately ended up, raising additional questions about the nature of the transactions.

A Guardia Civil report submitted to the court revealed that approximately €3 million passed through the bank account of Ana Paula Rufás, Negreira’s wife, over a 20-year period between 1992 and 2023. Investigators described these deposits as “apparently unjustified” based on income from her husband’s companies and real estate holdings.

Negreira Payment Structure

The payments flowed through multiple companies associated with the Negreira family, making it difficult for investigators to establish a clear money trail. Barcelona maintains these were legitimate business transactions for consultancy services, while prosecutors suspect the payments may have been disguised as consulting fees to obscure their true purpose.

Previous Presidential Testimonies: Rosell and Bartomeu Deny Wrongdoing

In September 2025, former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu testified before Judge Gil, both vehemently denying any intent to influence referees or engage in corruption. Their testimonies previewed many of the same arguments Joan Laporta would later present.

Sandro Rosell, who served as Barcelona president from 2010 to 2014, argued that the club had no need to bribe officials during an era when Lionel Messi and Gerard Piqué led the squad to unprecedented success. Rosell asserted that Negreira held “zero weight” within the Technical Committee of Referees, claiming actual influence resided with CTA presidents who were historically Real Madrid supporters.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, president from 2014 to 2020, similarly rejected the allegations, describing the payments as compensation for legitimate consulting reports intended to promote fair play and provide insights into referee tendencies. Bartomeu insisted there were no reciprocal favors sought or received, and that Barcelona’s quality during his tenure made refereeing manipulation unnecessary.

Barcelona Presidents Under Investigation

The testimonies of all three presidents share a common theme: Barcelona possessed such exceptional talent during the payment period that influencing referees would have been both unnecessary and incompatible with the club’s values and global reputation.

Real Madrid’s Role as Complainant Escalates Rivalry

The Negreira case has become a flashpoint in the already intense rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid, with Los Blancos filing as a complainant in the proceedings. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has repeatedly referenced the case in assembly speeches, using charts and statistics to question Barcelona’s historic success.

Joan Laporta has responded forcefully to Pérez’s allegations, accusing Real Madrid of suffering from “Barcelona-itis” and obsessively dragging out legal proceedings despite knowing “there’s nothing to it.” The Barcelona president pointed to controversial goals involving Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior in Madrid’s recent 2-2 draw at Elche as evidence of Real Madrid receiving favorable refereeing treatment.

“Barcelona has never bribed referees, and referees generally don’t favor Barca; they’ve always favored Madrid,” Joan Laporta stated, turning the accusations back on Barcelona’s historic rivals. The Barcelona president framed Madrid’s involvement in the case as part of a sustained campaign to undermine Barcelona’s achievements during their most successful era.

What Happens Next in the Negreira Case?

With Joan Laporta, Luis Enrique, and Ernesto Valverde having testified on December 12, 2025, the investigation is entering its final chapters according to sources close to the case. Only two more testimonies remain scheduled: former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart is set to testify on February 6, 2026, along with an unnamed person who currently receives and accompanies referees at Barcelona matches.

Before these final witness testimonies, Barcelona vice president Maria Elena Fort must appear on December 27, 2025, as the club’s representative, since FC Barcelona itself has been indicted in the case alongside the individual defendants.

Remaining Negreira Case Schedule

Sources familiar with the investigation indicate that given the number of charges and witnesses involved, it could take several years to reach a final conclusion. For the investigation to result in convictions, prosecutors need solid proof that Barcelona’s payments were intended to manipulate sporting outcomes or that such manipulation actually occurred. As of December 2025, no strong case appears to have been established according to legal observers.

Joan Laporta’s Confidence in Acquittal

Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Joan Laporta has expressed confidence that Barcelona will be cleared of all wrongdoing. Speaking in May 2025, the Barcelona president predicted the case would “end in acquittal,” describing the allegations as part of a “smear campaign” against the Catalan club.

“There’s been a smear campaign regarding the Negreira affair, which will end in acquittal,” Joan Laporta stated, referencing the intense media scrutiny and rival club accusations that have accompanied the investigation. The Barcelona president has consistently maintained that the club has never done anything to “obtain some type of sporting advantage.”

Joan Laporta’s confidence stems partly from the May 2024 court ruling that dismissed bribery charges after determining Negreira was not a public official under Spanish law. However, the sporting corruption charges remain active, and the investigation continues to examine whether payments were made with the intent to influence match outcomes, even if actual influence cannot be proven.

Impact on Spanish Football’s Integrity

The Negreira case has raised fundamental questions about governance and oversight in Spanish football, regardless of the eventual verdict. Critics have argued that paying the vice president of the Referees Committee should have been considered improper in itself, even if no actual influence on match outcomes can be proven.

The case has prompted calls for reforms in how referees are appointed, evaluated, and overseen in Spanish football. Head of the Referees Committee Luis Medina Cantalejo is expected to move on, with reforms coming to the officiating structure. A club committee has been formed to improve the refereeing system, with Real Madrid, Sevilla, Real Betis, the RFEF, and La Liga participating.

Barcelona initially declined to join this reform committee but later agreed to contribute, with Joan Laporta explaining: “We try to complain as little as possible because playing the victim has never worked for us. The refereeing is becoming more and more professional, we prefer not to get too involved with complaining.”

The Absent Evidence Problem

The most damaging aspect of Barcelona’s defense may be the admission that crucial evidence supporting their claims has been destroyed or never existed. Joan Laporta’s acknowledgment that reports from his first presidency were not preserved leaves a significant gap in the documentation trail that Barcelona claims justifies the payments.

Similarly, the testimonies of Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde that they never saw or used Negreira’s reports during some of Barcelona’s most successful seasons undermines the club’s argument that these were valuable consultancy services. If Barcelona’s own managers never utilized these reports, prosecutors may question what actual services justified payments averaging over €400,000 annually.

The investigation’s inability to locate the final destination of much of the €7.5 million also raises red flags. While money moving through Negreira’s wife’s accounts has been traced, investigators have not established clear documentation of legitimate business expenses or services that would correspond to the payment amounts.

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