Real Madrid submits Negreira case dossier to UEFA

Yesterday 09:30

By: Azzat Manal

Real Madrid submits Negreira case dossier to UEFA

Real Madrid has submitted a substantial set of documents to UEFA concerning the long-running Negreira case involving Barcelona, prompting European football’s governing body to review the material as part of its ongoing proceedings.

UEFA confirmed that its Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors had received the documents provided by Real Madrid and would assess them within the framework of the investigation into the case. UEFA’s disciplinary records continue to list the Negreira matter among its ongoing investigations.

The case centres on payments made by Barcelona over a number of years to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees. Barcelona has denied wrongdoing and has maintained that the payments were related to technical reports and refereeing advice.

Real Madrid has been involved in the Spanish proceedings as a private prosecutor and has also sought greater scrutiny of the matter at European level. The club said the documentation submitted to UEFA contains evidence that it believes warrants a thorough examination and urged the governing body to proceed with the investigation without unnecessary delay.

UEFA originally opened disciplinary proceedings concerning the case in March 2023 after identifying potential violations of its legal framework. The European body later suspended the proceedings while waiting for developments in the criminal investigation being conducted by Spanish authorities.

The latest submission does not in itself establish any sporting or disciplinary wrongdoing by Barcelona. UEFA’s inspectors must assess the material before determining whether further action is warranted. Barcelona has also clarified that the latest developments do not represent the opening of an entirely new UEFA case, but relate to the existing investigation.

The development comes after Real Madrid and UEFA reached an agreement in principle earlier in 2026 aimed at resolving their broader legal disputes over the European Super League, while maintaining cooperation on the future of European club football.

The Negreira case remains under examination in Spain, while UEFA’s review could determine whether the material submitted by Real Madrid leads to additional disciplinary steps at European level. The outcome will depend on the evidence assessed by the relevant UEFA bodies and on the findings of the ongoing judicial process.