Mourinho compares Barcelona’s Negreira case to Calciopoli: ‘Biggest refereeing corruption scandal in the world” 

Mourinho compares Barcelona’s Negreira case to Calciopoli: ‘Biggest refereeing corruption scandal in the world”  Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has once again criticised the handling of the Negreira case involving FC Barcelona, drawing comparisons with the biggest refereeing scandal in Italian football. Speaking to Prime Video Italia (h/t MARCA ) ahead of Real Madrid’s match against AS Roma, the Portuguese coach expressed his frustration that the Spanish case has yet to produce any consequences.  “I will tell you just one thing: congratulations to the Italians. Do you know why? Because it is the only country where Calciopoli was actually treated as Calciopoli,” Mourinho began.  “In Spain, what happened, and everyone knows what happened, and it seems that things are still not quite right. So far, nothing has happened. Nothing has happened.”  Asked whether he expected the case to progress, Mourinho was equally direct.  “If nothing happens, it is perhaps the biggest refereeing corruption scandal in the world,” he declared.  Mourinho compared the Negreira case to Calciopoli scandal. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) Mourinho points to the punishment imposed after Calciopoli Mourinho was referring to Calciopoli , the major scandal that rocked Italian football in 2006. The investigation uncovered a system involving the manipulation of refereeing appointments that compromised the integrity of the competition. Luciano Moggi, then Juventus general manager, was the central figure in the affair.  The sporting authorities imposed severe sanctions. Juventus were relegated to Serie B, stripped of their 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles and deducted points. Other clubs, including AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina, also received punishments. Moggi was subsequently convicted in the ordinary courts.  Real Madrid and Barcelona are at war. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) By invoking Calciopoli , Mourinho highlighted the contrast between the decisive action taken in Italy and what he sees as the lack of an equivalent response in Spain.  Real Madrid maintain pressure over the Negreira case Mourinho’s comments reflect Real Madrid’s continued stance on the Negreira case, which concerns payments made by Barcelona to José Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee.  The Spanish capital club believe the case has not received the response that, in their view, a comparable scandal would have prompted in Italy. Real Madrid continue to place their hopes in UEFA taking action where they believe the Spanish authorities have failed to deliver the necessary consequences.