Fresh developments have emerged in the ongoing Negreira case following the release of audio recordings containing statements from Joan Laporta, Luis Enrique, and Ernesto Valverde. The audios correspo...
Fresh developments have emerged in the ongoing Negreira case following the release of audio recordings containing statements from Joan Laporta, Luis Enrique, and Ernesto Valverde.
The audios correspond to testimonies given by the three figures as witnesses and provide clearer insight into their positions after days of speculation.
Even before the existence of audio confirmation, both former Barcelona coaches were aligned on a central point.
Neither Enrique nor Valverde had any awareness of referee-related reports during their respective spells at the club, nor did they know Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira or his role within the CTA.
Who said what?
Enrique was particularly direct when addressing the issue. The current PSG coach stressed that referee reports were never part of his professional framework and were never placed at his disposal.
“No one offered me reports or anyone else on my staff.”
He went even further, underlining the total absence of any connection to the Negreira family. “I know nothing about either Negreira senior or his son.”
Valverde echoed those sentiments in a similarly firm manner. He made it clear that this was never the case during his time at Barcelona.
“I have never used these reports, nor have I requested them or taken an interest in them, not even now at Athletic.
Laporta testified in the Negreira case. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
“I know that my assistant receives them. In fact, I asked my assistant (at Barça), and he said no,” he noted.
What about Laporta?
Laporta, meanwhile, focused his testimony on the institutional side of the matter.
The Barcelona president explained that the payments linked to companies associated with Negreira were not initiated under his leadership but carried over from previous administrations.
“The sports department was the recipient of these analyses. I don’t remember when it started, before our presidency, because it was inherited.
“I was informed that there was advice, and it was decided to continue with these payments.“
Laporta added that he always believed the reports were produced by Negreira’s son, a claim that contradicts statements made by Enriquez Negreira Jr. himself.
Finally, Laporta strongly rejected any suggestion that Barcelona sought to influence competition outcomes, arguing instead that the case has been used to undermine the club’s achievements.
“FC Barcelona has never taken any action with the aim of altering the competition.
“This is crystal clear, a reality, and I prefer not to comment on it now, but it is evident that this is an orchestrated campaign to try to damage Barça’s reputation, especially at a glorious time in the club’s history,” he added.
Source: SPORT
Category: General Sports
