Arbeloa: Barcelona at centre of 'biggest scandal' in Spanish football

Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has described the ongoing Negreira affair as the "biggest scandal in the history of Spanish football". Barcelona were found to have made payments totalling €8.4 million to Jose María Enríquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018; the club says he was hired as an external consultant and Negreira denies any suggestion he was paid to influence match decisions.

Bribery charges were dismissed in May 2024, but the probe continues under an allegation of sports corruption. Arbeloa, who took coaching reins at the Bernabeu after Xabi Alonso's dismissal, said he was bemused the matter remains unresolved. He told reporters, 'Regarding the Negreira case, I think that no one understands that, to this day, the biggest scandal in the history of Spanish football is still unresolved.

For me that is what should worry a lot of people.' On the pitch, Arbeloa has tried to limit distractions as Real chase Barcelona in the title race.

Spain, Barcelona

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