Real Madrid vs Barcelona: The 'Negreira Case' Saga Unfolds
Real Madrid intensifies the 'Negreira Case' by requesting Barcelona's financial records from 2010 to 2018, sparking a heated war of words between club presidents Florentino Perez and Joan Laporta. Dive into the latest developments and off-field tensions between the two Spanish giants.
Real Madrid have requested Barcelona's financial records from 2010 to 2018 as the Negreira case intensifies. Madrid president Florentino Perez used the club's traditional Christmas address to launch a blistering attack on Spanish football authorities regarding the hotly debated scandal. The club chief labelled the affair the "biggest scandal in football history".In Los Blancos' annual Christmas toast earlier this month, club president Perez delivered a scathing indictment of the state of Spanish football to reignite their war over the 'Negreira Case'. In a furious address to the media, Perez accused the RFEF and La Liga of abandoning their duty to protect the integrity of the sport, insisting that the "systemic corruption" uncovered by the scandal has likely cost other clubs their top-flight status over the last two decades. The 'Negreira Case', which centres on payments totalling over €7 million made by Barcelona to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira - the former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) - between 2001 and 2018, remains an open wound for the Real Madrid hierarchy. While the legal process drags on, Perez made it clear that his club has no intention of letting the matter fade into history, regardless of the pressure from officials to move on.Perez had said. "Christmas is a time that invites us to reflect. This club has built its history and its legend. We are the club with the highest income in the world, according to Deloitte and the most valuable according to Forbes. This has allowed us to live one of our most successful periods in these 15 years, both in football and basketball. "But Christmas is also a time to reflect. And Madrid's biggest concern is the refereeing situation. As you well know, the extremely serious situation that occurred with the 'Negreira case' for almost two decades deserves justice."He added, "It is completely incomprehensible that the institutions have left Madrid alone in this fight. How is it possible that the president of the referees asks us to forget it? How are we going to forget the biggest scandal in the history of football? How can the RFEF and La Liga behave like this? They have a duty to ensure integrity."Barcelona chief Laporta then hit back at his Madrid counterpart with a scathing diagnosis, claiming the Spanish capital is suffering from a case of "acute Barcelonitis". Laporta said: "Before it was 'Barcelonitis', but now it is 'acute Barcelonitis'. I see that Barcelonitis is installed in the heart of Madrid fans." When pressed on why he believes Madrid have adopted such an aggressive stance recently, Laporta added: "Ask them. What I see is that they have acute Barcelonitis, and this suits us fine."Laporta then stated: "I have to say that this dimension that we have reached also generates envy, and that these are managed very badly by those who, using bad arts, break all codes of conduct, ethical and moral, and not only sporting ones. I suppose you know who I am referring to: those who are the architects of permanent smear campaigns against our shield and our essences. And we are not going to allow this. They are the same ones who confuse power with unenlightened despotism; those who practice cynicism and excessive arrogance; those who have a piece of television from which they vomit lies and intoxicate constantly and permanently."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!According to AS, Madrid are in no mood to let this one go as they have requested access to a wide range of financial and internal documentation from Barcelona covering the period between 2010 and 2018. Per Xabier Estrada, the five things that have been demanded are: On top of this, Madrid have also asked the courts to include a statement made by Barcelona president Laporta in 2009 when he said: "Real Madrid signing a former referee? I’m sure they know what they’re doing, but for us, we respect the refereeing institution and structure, they do their job well, we won’t be making any signing like that, and we don’t know that market anyway."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAmidst the off-field tensions between the two clubs, the Spanish teams are currently enjoying their Christmas holidays and will return to action on January 3 in La Liga, taking on Espanyol.
Real Madrid's Aggressive Stance
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez launched a scathing attack on Spanish football authorities during the club's traditional Christmas address, labeling the 'Negreira Case' as the 'biggest scandal in football history'. Perez accused the RFEF and La Liga of systemic corruption and neglecting the sport's integrity, vowing not to let the matter fade away.
Barcelona's Response
In response to Perez's accusations, Barcelona chief Joan Laporta retaliated by accusing Madrid of suffering from 'acute Barcelonitis'. Laporta condemned Madrid's aggressive stance and criticized those behind smear campaigns against Barcelona, highlighting the escalating tensions between the two rivals.
Madrid's Demands and Legal Actions
Real Madrid has requested access to Barcelona's financial records from 2010 to 2018 and demanded additional internal documentation. Madrid also cited a statement made by Laporta in 2009, further fueling the legal battle surrounding the 'Negreira Case'. The club shows no sign of backing down in pursuit of justice.


