Real Madrid ask UEFA to reopen Negreira disciplinary case against Barcelona | OneFootball

Real Madrid have asked UEFA to restart disciplinary proceedings over the Negreira case. The club said in a statement that it has new evidence which, in its view, strengthens existing suspicions surrounding Barcelona’s payments to former refereeing vice-president José Maria Enriquez Negreira.

Between 2001 and 2018, Barcelona are alleged to have paid about 7.3 million euros to companies linked to Negreira. The Catalan club says the fees were for refereeing consultancy, and former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu denied attempting to buy favourable treatment when appearing in a Barcelona court.

The request seeks an immediate resumption of UEFA’s case and says it is unacceptable that the situation has persisted. It argues the affair gravely undermines the credibility of football, its institutions and leaders, and calls for a firm, exemplary and immediate sporting response, regardless of the ongoing judicial process.

Madrid also state they do not intend to supplant the Spanish courts. As a civil party in the criminal proceedings, the club says it will continue to take the necessary legal steps while asking UEFA to act within its disciplinary remit.

The measures sought are presented as necessary to guarantee the integrity, transparency and proper functioning of competitions.

Source: L'Équipe