FC Barcelona addressed reports related to the Negreira case and clarified that UEFA has not opened a new investigation against the club.
The club stated on Thursday that the proceedings began in 2023 and remain open; therefore, this is neither a new investigation nor a reopening of the case. According to Barcelona’s statement, two investigators were appointed in 2023, and since then they have carried out the actions they deemed necessary as part of the case.
The Catalan club also noted that it has complied with all requests made by the investigators during the process.
In this way, Barcelona sought to clarify reports published on Thursday regarding the alleged opening of a new investigation by UEFA in connection with the Negreira case.
FC Barcelona’s official statement:
In response to the reports published regarding the alleged reactivation of the UEFA proceedings in the Negreira case, FC Barcelona wishes to make the following clarifications:
UEFA has not opened any new proceedings against FC Barcelona. The proceedings were initiated in 2023, with the appointment of two investigators who have since carried out the action they deemed appropriate. The Club has always complied with all their requests. These proceedings have not been reopened because they have never been closed.
The UEFA statement confirms receipt of documentation submitted by Real Madrid and indicates that the investigators will assess it within the framework of the existing investigation. The same text expressly refers, on two occasions, to an investigation and a review that are “ongoing.” It therefore does not announce the opening, reopening, or reactivation of any proceedings, nor does it contain any assessment of the substance or value of the documentation provided.
It is up to the investigators to determine what action, if any, they consider appropriate regarding this documentation. As of today, they have not made any new requests to FC Barcelona nor have they forwarded Real Madrid’s complaint to the Club. Should they do so, the Club will respond accordingly, as it has done up to now.
In accordance with the applicable legislation governing this matter, these proceedings are subject to the outcome of the criminal case currently being heard in Spain and will continue to be so.
Since the investigation began, FC Barcelona has continued to obtain its UEFA licence without objection and has participated in UEFA competitions.
FC Barcelona reiterates its full cooperation with the competent authorities and calls for rigour and accuracy in the reporting of this procedure.
