The Spanish newspaper Marca revealed that FC Barcelona appears to be in a critical situation, and may be threatened with exclusion from participating in the European championships next season, on the back of the club’s accusation of corruption in the case of providing money to the former vice-chairman of the referees’ technical committee in the Spanish Federation, Enriquez Negrera.
According to the newspaper, two of the club’s former presidents, Jose Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, were formally charged yesterday, Friday, with providing funds to companies affiliated with Negrira, to interfere in the selection of referees to manage the team’s matches during the period from 2016 to 2018, and the funds were estimated at 1.4 million euros.
The Spanish Public Prosecutor indicated, in its accusation against Bartomeu, Rosell, and the club in its legal capacity, that Barcelona and its officials had verbally agreed with Negrera to facilitate these matters for the club.
The Public Prosecution Office indicated that the Catalan club paid a total of more than 7.3 million euros to Negrera between 1994 and 2018, according to AFP.
These payments, which were made through the company, were initiated "Dasnel 95" Affiliated to Negrera, in 2001 and ended in 2018, when the latter lost his position as Vice-President of the Technical Jury and this committee was restructured.
According to Barcelona, ​​who deny any wrongdoing, Dasnel 95 was paid to advise the club on refereeing matters. But the Spanish judiciary believes that these sums may have been used to bribe the rulers.
Expected penalties
The officials involved face prison terms from six months to four years.
Regarding Barcelona’s participation in the European Championships, Marca noted that European Union regulations provide for the exclusion of clubs that make illegal changes at the national or international level, which is what Barcelona faces in terms of accusations.
The penalties imposed on Barcelona can range from "suspend activity" club f"its complete solution" As a company, according to Alberto Palomar, a law professor at the University Carlos III in Madrid who was consulted by AFP.
