The Catalans remain embroiled in the protracted Negreira affair and are accused of corrupting referees. No definitive conclusions were reached, much to Arbeloa’s astonishment.
The Negreira affair shakes FC Barcelona
The matter recently resurfaced. Barça was initially found guilty of paying a total of 8.4 million euros to José María Enríquez Negreira, former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), between 2001 and 2018.
FC Barcelona claims to have hired Negreira as an external consultant to write technical reports on refereeing, while the person concerned denies being paid to influence decisions taken during official matches. Corruption charges were dismissed by a Spanish court in May 2024, but the investigation into corruption in sport continues.
Arbeloa launches a dig against FC Barcelona
Arbeloa, who took charge of the Spanish national team at the Bernabéu following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, was asked about the situation. Unsurprisingly, given his links with Real Madrid, the former Spain international was very critical.
He told reporters: “Regarding the Negreira affair, I think no one seems to understand that to this day the biggest scandal in the history of Spanish football is still unresolved. This is what should worry a lot of people. »
