New evidence emerges in Barcelona-Negreira corruption case: Fax in 2020 over VAR assistance

Barcelona have been taken to court by the Spanish Justice Department over charges of ‘continuous corruption’. And new evidence suggests that their ties with former Vice President of the Referee’s Committee, Enriquez Negreira, are deeper than what was initially revealed. 

Between 2001 and 2018, the club reportedly paid around €7 million to his company, DASNIL 95. This was in exchange for unique insights and scouting reports on lower division players. The contract was cancelled in 2018, and since then, the company has seen a sharp decline in revenue. Barcelona was reportedly the only client for them, while Negreira and his son were the only two people listed as part of the company. 

Barcelona in deeper trouble over Enriquez Negreira case 

Since the money was transferred during the time he was vice president of the referee’s committee, the prosecutors believe that these are clear signs that Barcelona engaged in commercial corruption. 

Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu will be the one bearing the criminal charges even though the payments were stopped during his time in charge. The payments were started during the presidency of Josep Lluís Núñez, during the 1990s. 

Current president Joan Laporta reportedly increased the payment during his first time in charge, continuing with them from before. 

And now, it has emerged that Negreira faded the club in 2020, offering to help with VAR. Barcelona did not respond to the offer, but this could prove to be a big factor in the trial when the court takes up the case.