This year, corruption allegations have hit FC Barcelona. Since investigations uncovered their involvement in the Enriquez Negreira payoff scandal, causing a major upheaval for the club.
It is a rumor that Barcelona paid the ex-vice-president of the referee’s committee up to €7 million for information and to manipulate results. As a result of the investigation, Barcelona could face legal action and severe penalties if found guilty.
Real Madrid, Barcelona’s arch-rivals, declared their intention to act as an accuser in the legal proceedings. They expressed their apprehension regarding the report’s revelations. El Pais reports that there may be several other individuals, including former Barcelona coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde. They will be present to testify during the legal proceedings.
Barcelona coaches to get summoned for legal proceedings
The report indicates that the two coaches will be summoned to testify in order to determine whether they were aware of the Negreira scandal. Recently, Valverde denied having any knowledge of the Negreira case during Barcelona’s La Liga match against Athletic Club. He expressed his surprise at the report’s findings.
Valverde has also refuted any suggestion that payoffs played a role in Barcelona’s title win during the 2017/18 season. The investigation’s disclosed of Barcelona’s involvement in the matter from 2001 to 2018. Hence, it is unlikely that Valverde will be extensively questioned.
Enrique, on the other hand, may have a more significant role in the legal proceedings. Since he was the coach of Barcelona during their most successful period after the Pep Guardiola era.
Barcelona is currently enlisting the help of its legal team to gather evidence that can aid the club’s defense. The objective is to have Joan Laporta, the club’s president, address the media within two weeks. Only future will tell of Barcelona’s status in the scandal.
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