UEFA has launched an investigation into corruption charges against Barcelona over their alleged involvement with ‘Caso Negreira’, according to a statement.
The Spanish club has been charged with ‘sporting corruption’ for allegedly making payments of €7m to former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.
ALSO READ:Â Tottenham almost signed Jack Grealish as teenager – Tim Sherwood
The payments were supposedly made for reports and videos on how to interact with certain referees. While Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied any wrongdoing, former club presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Bartomeu are accused of having an arrangement with Negreira.
ALSO READ:Â Mbappe admits Griezmann was disappointed over France captaincy snub
Spanish courts have already begun exploring the allegations, and UEFA has now appointed Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors to investigate the matter further.
Their statement reads: “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct an investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework by FC Barcelona in connection with the so-called ‘Caso Negreira’.“
