Real Madrid request six-month extension in the ‘Negreira Case’ investigation | OneFootball

Real Madrid remain actively involved in the ongoing ‘Negreira case’, involving former Referees Committee vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira and FC Barcelona.

Far from adopting a passive role in the investigation, the club has formally requested an extension of the inquiry, MARCA reports.

If granted, the investigation phase would continue for an additional six months starting from 1 September.

The club’s legal department has submitted a request to the court handling the case, asking for the investigation to be extended until March 2026.

This move is aimed at fully clarifying the circumstances surrounding payments made by Barcelona to a company linked to Negreira between 2001 and 2018.

The case has now been open for two years and has even seen a change in the presiding judge. Real Madrid joined the legal proceedings after a period of assessment, concluding that the matter could indeed have had sporting implications.

Real Madrid and Barcelona’s relationship has soured over the Negreira case. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

The Catalans have maintained that the payments made to Negreira’s company were for technical reports on referees and scout reports on players.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been critical of Real Madrid for their decision to enter the proceedings in the past.

“Madrid is not behaving well, they are doing an exercise in cynicism that is not acceptable. Judge Joaquin Aguirre has extended the investigation process at the request of Real Madrid, as contemplated in the procedure,” said Laporta last year.

“They have not found anything for a year, It has been shown that we have not bought referees and prolonging an instruction has a limit,” he added.

However, as Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has stated during recent club assemblies, the Merengues intend to see the case through to its conclusion. This latest request serves as further evidence of that commitment.