The judicial investigation into payments made by FC Barcelona to the former vice president of the Referees’ Committee, José María Enríquez Negreira, has reached its final phase. A judge in Barcelona heard the last of the scheduled testimonies this week, signaling the end of the inquiry stage.
The Investigation
The case centers on payments totaling 7.3 million euros made by FC Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira and his son, Javier Enríquez, between 2011 and 2018. Prosecutors are examining whether these payments constituted offenses of unfair administration and corruption in sports. The club maintains the funds were for the production of referee reports.
Final Testimonies
Former Barcelona B coach Sergi López and former club delegate Antonio Alonso appeared before Judge Alejandra Gil at the City of Justice. Both witnesses confirmed the existence of the reports commissioned by the club and testified that the documents served a functional purpose for the team. These statements conclude the investigative phase, as no further testimony is currently scheduled.
Current Status
With the investigation phase now complete, Judge Alejandra Gil is expected to issue a decision soon. The court must determine whether to proceed to trial, identify the specific defendants, and outline the formal charges to be brought against them.
Why it matters: This case involves one of the world’s most prominent football clubs and raises questions about transparency and integrity in professional sports governance. The outcome could set a significant legal precedent for how clubs interact with officiating bodies.