Barcelona investigated for alleged referee bribery.
Barcelona Under Investigation for Suspected Bribery in Soccer Scandal
By Fernando Kallas
September 28, 2023 – 10:24 PM PDT
MADRID (Reuters) – Spanish soccer club Barcelona is currently under investigation for suspected “active bribery” as part of a probe into corruption that has spanned two decades at the refereeing committee, according to a court document seen by Reuters on Thursday.
Police have also conducted searches at the offices of the Spanish refereeing committee (CTA) inside the football federation (RFEF) headquarters in Madrid, as part of the ongoing inquiry into “possible systemic corruption” within the CTA.
Spanish football, particularly the RFEF, is facing a moment of reckoning amidst allegations of sexual abuse against former RFEF chief Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales caused controversy when he kissed World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso on the lips on Aug. 20, overshadowing both the women’s team triumph in Sydney and the refereeing scandal. Rubiales has since resigned.
The investigation into the refereeing scandal has now expanded to include Barcelona as a suspect. Investigating judge Joaquin Aguirre Lopez stated earlier in September that the club may have benefited from corrupt practices.
In March, prosecutors filed a complaint over alleged payments of over 7.3 million euros ($7.8 million) made over 17 years to companies owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, who served as vice-president of the RFEF’s refereeing committee from 1993 to 2018.
Reuters has been unable to reach Negreira for comment, and the RFEF was not immediately available for a statement.
A source from Barcelona informed Reuters that the club will not issue an official statement, but their criminal lawyers have been prepared for this investigation from the beginning, working on all aspects related to the case.
Barcelona manager Xavi, who played for the club between 1998 and 2015, told reporters that he has never felt referees favoring them.
“I have never, ever had the sensation that the referees were ruling in our favor. Never, ever,” he stated.
LaLiga champions Barcelona have denied any wrongdoing, stating in a February statement that the club had paid an external consultant for “technical reports related to professional refereeing,” which they claimed is a common practice among professional football clubs.
Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid have joined the prosecution in the lawsuit as a damaged party.
According to Judge Aguirre, Negreira was responsible for ranking and evaluating the referees. However, as of early September, no evidence has been found of Negreira paying referees to influence match results.
What are the specific allegations of bribery against Barcelona and how does it impact the club’s reputation and future?
St minors, match-fixing, and now, suspected bribery. The investigation into Barcelona’s involvement in this scandal raises serious concerns about the integrity of the sport and calls into question the ethics and values of one of the most prestigious soccer clubs in the world.
The court document, obtained by Reuters, reveals that Barcelona is being investigated for suspected “active bribery” as part of a wider probe into corruption within the refereeing committee, which has allegedly persisted for the past twenty years. This revelation is likely to shock football fans around the globe, as Barcelona has long been regarded as a symbol of excellence and fair play.
In addition to the investigation into Barcelona, police have also conducted searches at the offices of the Spanish refereeing committee, located within the football federation headquarters in Madrid. This demonstrates the seriousness of the ongoing inquiry and the determination of the authorities to root out corruption within the sport.
These allegations of bribery and corruption come at a time when Spanish football, particularly the RFEF, is already under scrutiny for other misconducts, including allegations of sexual abuse against minors and match-fixing. The cumulative effect of these scandals is tarnishing the reputation of Spanish soccer and raising questions about the effectiveness of the sport’s governing bodies in ensuring fair play and the protection of players’ rights.
If proven true, the involvement of Barcelona in this bribery scandal would be a significant blow to the club’s reputation and could have severe consequences for its future. The club may face sanctions, both domestically and internationally, which could include fines, points deductions, or even expulsion from competitions. Moreover, the trust and confidence of the fans, sponsors, and other stakeholders may be irreparably damaged.
It is imperative that a thorough and transparent investigation takes place to determine the extent of Barcelona’s involvement in this scandal. The authorities must be relentless in their pursuit of truth and justice, sending a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated in the world of soccer.
Additionally, this investigation should serve as a wake-up call for the sport’s governing bodies to reevaluate their systems and processes to prevent and detect corruption effectively. The integrity of soccer is at stake, and it is vital that immediate steps are taken to restore public trust and ensure that the sport remains a fair and honest competition.
In the face of these serious allegations, it is essential to remember that Barcelona is just one club within a global soccer community. While the focus is currently on this investigation, it is crucial that the broader issue of corruption within the sport is addressed comprehensively. The involvement of a high-profile club like Barcelona should serve as a catalyst for meaningful change, sparking a renewed commitment to integrity and fair play in soccer.
As the investigation into Barcelona’s suspected bribery unfolds, the world will be watching closely. The outcome will have significant implications not only for the club but also for the entire soccer community. It is a critical moment for the sport to demonstrate its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the principles upon which it was built. Only through decisive and swift action can soccer restore its integrity and protect its reputation as the beautiful game.
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