Negreira case investigation effectively closed as Real Madrid await crucial Barcelona financial documents

Negreira case investigation effectively closed as Real Madrid await crucial Barcelona financial documents The Negreira case remains one of the biggest controversies rocking Spanish football at the moment. Real Madrid continue to push for answers over Barcelona’s financial relationship with the former vice-president of the Spanish refereeing committee. Now, according to Que T’hi Jugues , the judicial committee has officially concluded its witness hearings. Only certain financial documents from Barcelona remain outstanding before a decision can be made on whether the case proceeds to trial. Former Barcelona officials defend usefulness of referee reports Former Barcelona B manager Gerard Lopez and ex-delegate Toni Alonso were the final witnesses to testify before investigating judge Alejandra Gil on Friday. Both defended the usefulness of the refereeing reports prepared by Javier Enriquez, son of former refereeing official Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira. Lopez coached Barcelona’s reserves between 2015 and 2018 and explained how reports on refereeing tendencies helped, especially in the lower divisions. Luis Enrique denied knowing of the technical reports that are at the centre of the Negreira case. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images) Their testimony, however, contrasts with that of former first-team managers such as Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde. The two managers claimed that they were unaware of the reports or had never used them in any capacity during their time at the club. Barcelona continue to maintain that the payments were exclusively for technical consultancy services and not an attempt to influence refereeing decisions. Real Madrid await final documents before crucial judicial decision Real Madrid had requested a six-month extension to the investigation, alongside the prosecution, but the judge rejected the request in September. Nevertheless, Los Blancos successfully secured a partial ruling from the Barcelona Provincial Court requiring Barcelona to submit financial audits and reports covering 2010 to 2021. These are the documents still outstanding from the Catalan club before the investigation officially concludes. Real Madrid are closely following the proceedings of the Negreira case. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) Once the documents are received, Judge Gil is expected to decide, potentially in early 2027, whether to dismiss the proceedings or send the case to trial. The investigation concerns payments reportedly totalling €8.4 million over 17 years to Negreira and related companies. Real Madrid are closely following the proceedings because, should Barcelona be found guilty, no other club would have been more affected than them. It remains to be seen how Judge Gil assesses the findings of this investigation and whether the case goes to trial in 2027.