Ex Barcelona Managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde Called to Testify in Negreira Case

Ex Barcelona Managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde Called to Testify in Negreira Case

Chukwu Ikechukwu
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
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  • Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde have been called to testify in the refereeing scandal rocking former club Barcelona
  • The coaches who are two of Barcelona’s most successful managers over the past decade have been called as witnesses
  • Barcelona charged with corruption over payments totalling £7.4million to a former referees' official

Barcelona will have two of the club’s former managers testify in the club’s Negreira case after they were charged by prosecutors for making payments to a former referee official.

The Catalans have been accused of paying a whopping £7.4million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira who was the then vice-president of the Spanish referees committee.

Barcelona, Luis Enrique, Ernesto Valverde, Camp Nou, La Liga, Spain
Luis Enrique won the UEFA Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey in his first season in charge of Barcelona. Photo by NurPhoto
Source: Getty Images

According to Football Espana, former Barcelona coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde are set to be interviewed to explain whether they were in the knowhow of the Negreira scam.

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Luis Enrique won nine trophies during his time at Barcelona, including a historic treble in his first season, whereas Ernesto Valverde only won two titles in his two full seasons.

Barcelona could be set for serious sanctions if they are proven guilty although current Barcelona president Joan Laporta has insisted the club has never bought referees.

Barcelona opens up on payments

Meanwhile, Barcelona directors have claimed the Catalan club paid a top refereeing boss £6m across nearly 20 years in 'self-defence' to protect themselves against bias, Daily Mail reports.

The accusation against Barcelona stated that Negreira 'in exchange for money' performed actions that would 'lead to the club being favoured in the decision making of the referees'.

As the club's legal proceedings heat up, investigators will question President Joan Laporta and former managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde about the allegations.

Barca’s president maintains club’s innocence

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona president Joan Laporta has broken his silence amid the corruption scandal which has rocked the Catalan giants.

The Blaugrana have been charged with 'continued sporting corruption' in regard to payments made to the former vice president of Spain's refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

Despite the charges and Madrid's decision to take legal action for what they called "serious accusations" by prosecutors; Barca president Joan Laporta insists his club is innocent.

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Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..
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