The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has become the focus of an important investigation in European football as UEFA, the governing body for football across Europe, requested information from them about allegations that Barcelona have paid a former refereeing official. Andreu Camps, RFEF Secretary General, affirmed at a press meeting in Las Rozas that the federation had provided all the data they currently possess to UEFA and is prepared to cooperate with any further investigations into the matter. This marks an important step in deciding whether any charges will be levied against Barcelona or not and shows how seriously international sporting bodies are taking such allegations. The case is sure to receive intense scrutiny over the coming weeks.
Camps reiterated the RFEF’s commitment to collaborate with European soccer governing body UEFA, who are investigating alleged irregularities with a former refereeing official and their relation to payments from Barcelona. He said the RFEF have offered “to take any other action that UEFA itself tells us to take,” and have already provided all of the information requested by Barcelona public prosecutors. The RFEF Integrity Department is currently studying the “Negreira case” after receiving pertinent information from Barcelona, the CTA and RFEF. Camps added that anyone found guilty of tax fraud or any negligence must be held accountable for their actions.
The El Mundo newspaper report in February about Barcelona’s payments to Dasnil 95 – a company owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a CTA vice-president, has raised a few eyebrows. This prompted the current CTA chief, Medina Cantelejo, to come out and refute these claims. He went on to explain that this type of behavior is unjustified and there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that any referee is dishonest. He wants people to understand that if anything untoward has happened, it would be individuals taking advantage of their positions for their own personal gain. It’s an alarming affair as it brings into question the impartiality of referees and Medina Cantelejo is right in calling out those who would try and abuse their power.
