Barcelona get dragged into Real Madrid’s escalating war over refereeing in La Liga | OneFootball

Barcelona once again find their name getting associated with the refereeing controversy in La Liga, as Real Madrid have openly stepped up its criticism in recent weeks.

Indeed, according to MARCA, Real Madrid officials claim that recent refereeing errors are not coincidental and argue that as long as doubts exist around the Negreira case, Barcelona will continue to benefit from decisions on the pitch.

The pressure escalated after Real Madrid’s recent match against Real Sociedad, where controversial officiating saw Dean Huijsen get sent off in the first half.

What Is the Negreira Case?

The Negreira case centres on payments, totalling more than €7 million, made by Barcelona to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former vice-president of the CTA, between 2001 and 2018.

The Catalans have consistently maintained that the payments were for scouting reports and referee analysis reports, but the investigation is ongoing, and the matter is in court.

Real Madrid are pointing fingers at Barcelona. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Former managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde are expected to testify in the coming weeks, as is president Joan Laporta.

Real Madrid are at the forefront of the case, formally participating in the proceedings, and intend to pursue the matter to the very end, as president Florentino Perez confirmed to the club’s members.

Real Madrid increase the pressure

Real Madrid have now made a clear shift in strategy in their battle against the refereeing system.

Whereas previously the focus was mainly on decisions affecting their own matches, the club’s messaging, primarily through RMTV, has increasingly drawn direct comparisons with Barcelona.

Penalties, red cards and disciplinary measures are scrutinised side by side. RM TV has particularly highlighted the fact that between February 2016 and March 2018, Barcelona did not concede a single penalty – framing this as evidence of favourable treatment.

From Barcelona’s perspective, the accusations form part of a wider campaign to delegitimise the club. The club has always stressed that the payments were legal at the time and that no evidence has been presented proving refereeing influence.