Laporta, alongside former coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, testified about payments to José María Enríquez Negreira
Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona, appeared as a witness last Friday before Judge Alejandra Gil in the ongoing Negreira case. The session, which lasted nearly an hour, brought to light details about payments made to companies linked to former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees, José María Enríquez Negreira. According to Laporta, these payments, totaling 7.2 million euros over 17 years, were “hereditary” from previous club administrations and continued because the club considered the service useful.
The president said the payments were relatively small and thus they did not necessitate the board to go into details over them, but they relied on the sporting area to determine whether they were worthwhile.
“It is evident that this is a campaign against Barça to tarnish a glorious period. The referee reports went to the sports area, although I do not know exactly to whom… I suppose the sports area requested them because they were important,” Laporta said.
He added, “FC Barcelona has never undertaken any action intended to alter the competition. That is very clear.”
Laporta further explained that the payments’ increase over time was due to the higher volume of reports, and that the arrangement had no intention of gaining a competitive edge. “I do not remember when it started, but it was before our presidency, because it was inherited. I was informed that there was an advisory service, and it was considered worthwhile to continue these payments,” he said.
Barcelona maintains that the payments were made in order to receive reports on the performances of upcoming referees who would be in charge of their matches. However, the team’s managers were reportedly unaware of these reports.
Former coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, who also testified via videoconference, confirmed that they had no knowledge of these reports during their respective tenures. Luis Enrique stated, “No one offered me reports, nor anyone in my staff,” while Valverde said, “I never used those reports, nor did I request them or take an interest, even now at Athletic Bilbao.”
Spanish authorities continue to investigate the case, but so far have yet to prove that Barcelona broke any laws or received any favors due to the controversial payments.
Category: General Sports
