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FC Barcelona just can\u2019t seem to catch a break off the field. For the last three years, the <\/span>Catalan <\/span><\/i>club has run into one problem after another. First, there was the BarcaGate scandal<\/a> in which the police raided the office of then Barcelona President Josep Bartomeu and arrested him. It was followed a year later when Barcelona had to activate several economic levers<\/a> to buy players in the 2022 transfer window. And now, in the latest scandal, the club has been accused of making payments for a period of 17 years to La Liga\u2019s Vice President of the Technical Committee for Referees between 1994-2018.<\/span><\/p>\n These accusations have caused a massive uproar in the Spanish league. The club has looked to be on the right path to reclaiming their spot as one of the best teams in Europe, and if true, these allegations could really hamper the club and its ambition.<\/span><\/p>\n So, what are the new allegations that have mired FC Barcelona?<\/span><\/p>\n The Spanish public prosecutor\u2019s office has accused Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira of receiving payments from FC Barcelona between 2001-2018. During this period, he was the second-in-command of the La Liga refereeing body. Others accused in the case are former Barcelona President Sandro Rossell and Josep Bartomeu and also the club.<\/span><\/p>\n The Barcelona city administration has already started an investigation. However, the investigation will only cover a period between 2016-2018. The allegations have caused a storm because, due to the person involved in the payment, speculations have emerged that it was a bribery scandal to get favourable decisions for FC Barcelona.<\/span><\/p>\n However, Barcelona have vehemently denied the allegations stating that the payments had nothing to do with it. Prosecutors have said that FC Barcelona paid over \u20ac7 million to DASNIL 95 and NILSAT, both companies owned by Negreira, between 2001-2018.<\/span><\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 Barcelona have been charged with corruption by Spanish prosecutors over payments made to the former vice-president of Spain’s referees’ committee.<\/p>\n (Source: RMC Sport) pic.twitter.com\/RMx27RgDZW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 10, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The club, in their defence, has said that the payments were made to obtain scouting reports on referees in the league and were completely legal. These reports included how players should conduct themselves around different referees.<\/span><\/p>\n However, a report by <\/span>El Mundo <\/span><\/i>said that after being fired as a consultant by Barcelona, Negreira offered to help the club with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to get favourable calls. There are also reports in the Spanish media that Negreira has admitted to prosecutors that Bartomeu had asked him to ensure that no refereeing calls went against them.<\/span><\/p>\n Read more:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Since <\/span>La Liga <\/span><\/i>has a rule that they can only investigate matters up to three years old, this case is out of their legal jurisdiction. However, UEFA does have the power to punish the club but will likely wait for the investigation to reach its conclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n In cases like these, punishments depend on how severe a crime is. However, any verdict will only be reached after a long time that could take years to reach. Even then, the maximum punishment they could face is a fine or some sanctions, such as a limited transfer ban or docking of points.<\/span><\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 What is the Negreira case? \ud83d\udcb8<\/p>\n \u2022 In a nutshell, first broke by SER, Barcelona were found to be allegedly making payments worth around \u20ac7M to a company (b\/w 2001-2018), owned by former referee Jos\u00e9 Maria Enr\u00edquez Negreira, in exchange for referee decisions in their favor.<\/p>\n \u2014 Reshad Rahman (@ReshadRahman_) March 11, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhat is the new Barcelona scandal?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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What are the possible punishments for Barcelona?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Real Madrid statement regarding Barcelona<\/b><\/h2>\n