Barcelona President Joan Laporta Charged with Allegedly Bribing Referees
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has been charged with allegedly bribing referees in a shocking development that has sent shockwaves through the football world. The news emerged this morning through EFE, a reputable news source in Spain, revealing that the judge in the case, known as “Caso Negreira,” has decided to indict the 61-year-old.
Accusations and Charges
Laporta is facing charges of bribery, sports corruption, unfair administration, and forgery in a commercial document. The Caso Negreira case revolves around the payment of approximately £6.3 million to former vice-president of the technical committee of referees, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, and his son. These payments, which occurred over an 18-year period, are currently under investigation.
Laporta’s Tenure at Barcelona
Joan Laporta has had two reigns as the president of Barcelona. His first term, from 2003 to 2010, saw Barcelona achieve unprecedented success, setting a new record for trophies won in a 12-month period with six. Laporta returned to the top job in October 2020, but now his reputation is under scrutiny due to these serious allegations.
The UEFA Investigation
This recent indictment comes after Barcelona was charged with “continued corruption in the sports field” by UEFA in April. Despite the alleged scandal, UEFA allowed Barcelona, managed by the legendary Xavi, to compete in this season’s edition of the Champions League. However, they reserved the right to administer further punishment if additional evidence was discovered.
Judge’s Decision and Indictment
The judge overseeing the case, Judge Joaquin Aguirre, recommended last month that the charge of continued corruption in the sports field be changed to bribery. This recommendation was based on Negreira’s public figure status at the time. According to a court order published by Spanish publication El Correo, Aguirre has now agreed to indict Laporta for the same crimes. The judge believes that Laporta and the rest of the board from that period played an effective role in making the decision to make the allegedly illicit payments.
Systemic Corruption in Spanish Arbitration
In his order, Judge Aguirre states that the payments made from Laporta to Negreira between 2008 and 2010 resulted in “systemic corruption in the Spanish arbitration as a whole.” While not all referees were corrupt, a group of them were influenced by these payments, leading to inequality in treatment with other teams.
Denial of Wrongdoing
Laporta has consistently denied any wrongdoing from Barcelona in the past and has claimed that the payments were made for consultation work. Neither Laporta nor the club has responded to these latest charges at the time of reporting.
Implications for Barcelona
The timing of these charges could not be worse for Barcelona as they are preparing to face their bitter rivals, Real Madrid, in El Clasico this weekend. The club will now have to deal with the distraction and potential fallout from these allegations, which could have a significant impact on their performance on the field.
Conclusion
The indictment of Barcelona President Joan Laporta on charges of allegedly bribing referees has sent shockwaves through the football world. Laporta, who has had two terms as Barcelona’s president, now faces serious legal consequences if found guilty. The ongoing Caso Negreira investigation will shed more light on the alleged bribery and corruption within Spanish football. As Barcelona prepares for their upcoming match against Real Madrid, they will also have to navigate the potential consequences and distractions arising from these charges.