In a recent statement, Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona football club, has denied allegations that the club bribed referees. This comes after suspicions were raised that a certain amount of money was paid to former referee manager Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
“Let it be clear that Barcelona never bribed the referee or intended to bribe the referees. Absolutely never,” Laporta stated.
According to the Spanish daily El Mundo, between 2001 and 2018, Barcelona paid more than six million euros to the company Dasnil 95, owned by Negreira, who was the former vice-president of the Committee of Technical Referees (CTA) between 1994 and 2018. This was allegedly to advise the club on refereeing matters.
It was reported by radio Cadena Ser that the last payment was made in June 2018, when Negreira founded the CTA, which was reformed after the arrival of Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish Football Federation.
As of now, the situation is still developing, and Laporta’s statement has raised more questions than answers. Many football fans are now wondering if the allegations against Barcelona are true and what this could mean for the future of the club.
Source: Beta/Meridian sport
