the Slovenian Alexander Ceferinpresident of UEFA, warned today that the situation of the Barcelona club in the Negreira case, which investigates alleged arbitration bribery, “it’s extremely serious”.
European football’s top executive, a post he’s held since 2016 and which he hopes to renew for another four years this week, had plenty: “It is so serious that it seems to me that it is one of the most serious cases in football since I have dealt with it.”
In statements made to his country’s sports newspaper Ekipa, which were reproduced by Spanish media, Ceferin avoided giving details of the file being investigated by an independent disciplinary commission of his entity and the Spanish prosecutor’s office.
The Slovenian made his warning days after Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste acknowledged “contacts” with Argentine Lionel Messi’s representation to finalize his return. The Catalan club risks a possible sanction that could complicate any purchase.
UEFA announced on March 23 the opening of an investigation called “Negreira Case” which presupposes the possible violation of the regulations of the institution by the “azulgrana” club for having paid 7.3 million euros to José María Enríquez Negreira, former number two of the Spanish referees, for at least 17 years.
The Inquiry Court number 1 of Barcelona has accepted the complaint of the Public Prosecutor’s Office against Barcelona as a legal entity and also against the former presidents Sandro Rosell AND Joseph Maria Bartomeumanagers Oscar Grau AND Albert Sunry the former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), Jose Maria Enriquez Negreirafor the continued crimes of business corruption, incorrect administration and false commercial deeds.
Fountain: telam.
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.