BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 25: Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA and Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona, look on from the stands prior to the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 Final match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio de San Mames on May 25, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 25: Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA and Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona, look on from the stands prior to the UEFA Women's Champions League 2023/24 Final match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at Estadio de San Mames on May 25, 2024 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Real Madrid have always had a big part to play in the investigation into Barcelona’s ‘Negreira scandal’ allegations and have continually looked to turn the matter into a smear campaign.
Earlier today, it came to light through an official statement from UEFA that the body had received substantial documents from Real Madrid to reopen the investigation once more.
They also confirmed that they would begin looking into the matter, and Barcelona did not hold back as they came out with an explosive statement reiterating their innocence.
A calm scene
Joan Laporta of FC Barcelona
Laporta and Co. remain calm. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
As confirmed by Ferran Correas in a recent update, Barcelona’s offices remain calm after the latest developments and understand that they have nothing to fear.
‘Everything is smoke and mirrors,’ they reiterate, making it clear that they are not guilty of any crime and that everything that is being done is to distract the media and to take eyes away from blatant issues towards Barcelona.
Concurrently, the Catalans also confirm that no new case has been opened against them and that nothing will come of the latest reopening of the case.
After all, they believe UEFA would not have renewed their license in the competition had they suspected anything.
Nothing more than a formal update
UEFA releasing a public statement on the documents received from Real Madrid neither incriminates, nor comes close to seeing Barcelona held guilty for the said crime.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez
Real Madrid are trying hard to incriminate Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
At this point, their statement merely represents a formality and acknowledgement of documents received.
Real Madrid will continue to look for more evidence, but Barcelona have every reason to continue believing they are safe.
The Catalans, for a long time, have held out that they only paid the said sums for refereeing reports and not to buy referees as is being claimed.
In that sense, what Barcelona did is a common practice across Europe, and everything that is being built around it is a house of lies to defame the institution.
The coming weeks, needless to say, will be critical in deciding which way the case moves forward. For now, Joan Laporta and Co. have everything under control and will look to get the team to do their talking on the field.
Lamine Yamal, Spain and Barcelona player
Lamine Yamal, Spain and Barcelona player
Anthony Gordon, Spain and Barcelona player
Anthony Gordon, Spain and Barcelona player