The long-running “Negreira case” has taken another step forward, as Spain’s judiciary has summoned former [FC Barcelona](https://www.barcablaugranes.com) managers Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, along with current club president Joan Laporta, to [testify as witnesses](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20250626/1002489935/jueza-caso-negreira-cita-testigos-laporta-luis-enrique-valverde.html) in the ongoing investigation into alleged corruption involving payments to former referee official José María Enríquez Negreira.
The case centers on payments made by FC Barcelona between 2001 and 2018 totaling over €7 million to companies linked to Negreira, who served as vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees. The club denies any wrongdoing and has insisted the payments were for external consultancy and scouting reports on referees, but the prosecution suspects sporting corruption.
Luis Enrique, now managing Paris Saint-Germain, and Valverde, currently at Athletic Bilbao, will be questioned about the nature and usefulness of the reports they received during their respective tenures as Barcelona head coach. Luis Enrique managed the team from 2014 to 2017, and Valverde followed from 2017 to 2020. The prosecution hopes their testimony will clarify whether the information provided by Negreira had any real impact on match preparation or outcomes.
Laporta, although no longer under formal investigation, will still appear as a witness. Prosecutors believe his insight could help explain the club’s motives for contracting Negreira’s companies, including Dasnil 95, Nilsad SPC, and Soccercam SL.
In June, the Barcelona court granted an extension to allow further testimony, including from former club presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, who are scheduled to testify in September.
Although no trial date has been set, the judge overseeing the case considers these new testimonies essential to establishing the purpose and legitimacy of the controversial payments. The outcome could have lasting consequences not only for FC Barcelona’s leadership past and present, but also for the wider integrity of Spanish football.
Despite the allegations, authorities have yet to prove any referees were paid to make decisions in favor of Barcelona. The charge of bribery has been dropped, although prosecutors are still pursuing a corruption charge.