Real Madrid urges UEFA to accelerate Negreira case investigation

Real Madrid has formally escalated its involvement in the Negreira case after UEFA confirmed it had received documents submitted by the club concerning payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Real Madrid said UEFA had acknowledged receipt of its complaint, along with the documents and evidence attached to its case file. The club said the investigation had now reached a stage where it should be brought to a conclusion “with the utmost speed”.

Real Madrid said its complaint contained “extensive documents and evidence” relating to events it described as extremely serious. According to the club, the matters under investigation directly affect the integrity of competition and confidence in the refereeing system.

The club added that, with the material now in UEFA’s possession, it was essential for the investigation to proceed “with the utmost speed” until it had been fully completed. It also called for the appropriate authorities to take whatever decisions they consider necessary in light of the seriousness of the facts being examined.

UEFA had earlier confirmed that it had received a large volume of documents from Real Madrid as part of its investigation into the Negreira case. The European governing body said its ethics and disciplinary inspectors had also obtained the material so it could be assessed as part of their ongoing review.

Real Madrid said it would continue to cooperate actively with UEFA. It also said it would take every step within its powers to clarify events that it considers incompatible with the principles that should govern European football.

The club identified those principles as integrity, transparency and fair play, underlining its intention to continue pursuing the matter at European level.

Real Madrid’s latest action has brought the Negreira case back into focus within UEFA after the European body had followed the file in previous years. Its inspectors are now considering the new documents submitted by the Spanish club.

The continuation of the investigation does not mean Barcelona has been sanctioned. Any next step will depend on the conclusions reached by UEFA’s relevant bodies after they have examined the evidence and heard from the parties involved.