Real Madrid expect UEFA punishment for Barcelona over Negreira scandal

Real Madrid expect UEFA to impose sanctions on Barcelona over the Negreira case and have formally joined the complaint as an injured party. The dispute centers on payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain's Technical Committee of Referees, and Madrid say the international implications of the probe could reshape European competition.

President Florentino Perez has pressed for action, framing the refereeing scandal as the most concerning event in the history of Spanish football and seeking audit reports and financial documents—requests that were rejected by the investigating judge. At a recent members' assembly he asked: "How are we going to forget the biggest scandal in history?" Journalist Ramon Alvarez reports that Madrid believe UEFA's paused disciplinary proceedings will resume soon and could result in severe punishments.

Spain

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