UEFA open investigation into FC Barcelona Negreira case - what are the potential punishments?

UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have been appointed to investigate the Negreira Case, in which FC Barcelona paid over €7 million to ex-vice president of the Referee Committee José María Enríquez Negreira over a period of 17 years for reports “related to professional refereeing”, according to the club. A few weeks ago it was made known from the UEFA secretary General that the governing body had asked for information regarding the case.

DASNIL 95 received money from the Catalan club across the period which was overseen by four Barça presidents. Up until now, UEFA had no comment, however this move represents a change in that regard; it is yet to be known how the investigation will be carried out or how long it will take.

A UEFA Statement read: “In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct an investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework by FC Barcelona in connection with the so-called ‘Caso Negreira’. Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course.”

What will Barcelona’s punishment be? Can they be kicked out of European competition?

As for LaLiga, they have already said it cannot investigate because since case relates to events that took place more than three years ago. “It’s not possible for there to be any sportive punishment from our side”, said Javier Tebas, head of the league.

The short answer regarding UEFA is that nobody really knows, yet. The UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors will make their decision when the time is right and the investigation has drawn its conclusions. However, any offence would not have a LaLiga style time limit imposed, so sanctions are perhaps a more realistic possibility.

A known quantity regarding punishments is that UEFA have the right to prohibit any team from participating in their tournaments if found to be guilty of “trying to influence results of national or international games”. If FIFA were to get involved, they would theoretically have the power to deduct points or even relegate the team to a lower division. As of yet, this has not happened.

The Spanish FA, for their part, have said that they will not decide on anything until the legal process has been concluded.

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