The plot is thickening in the Negreira Case drama series, arising from the Barça club's alleged large payments to a former senior referee, and this Thursday has brought a key new development: the European football body, UEFA, has announced via a press release that it has opened an investigation against FC Barcelona regarding the Negreira case, considering that there are potential indications of a possible breach of its legal framework. "In accordance with Article 31(4) of UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA's ethical and disciplinary inspectors have today been appointed to conduct an investigation into a possible breach of UEFA's legal framework by FC Barcelona in relation to the so-called 'Negreira Case'", explains UEFA.
Now it remains to be seen what consequences this investigation may bring, since several media have been asserting for days, in some cases as loudly as they can, that UEFA could end up expelling Barça from the next edition of the Champions League, a decision that would have massive impact and would be likely to be announced in June, after the final of the top continental competitions. It would seriously damage Barça, since all of its sporting and economic planning would thus be scrapped, and it would also mean that the club would be seen around the world as guilty, when justice has still to make its pronouncements. A month ago, Andreu Camps, general secretary of the RFEF - the Spanish football federation - already announced that UEFA had requested information about the Negreira case, in which several bodies have stated they will be presenting arguments in the investigation opened by Spanish public prosecutors: the RFEF itself, La Liga, Spain's National Sports Council and the Real Madrid club.
Barça, in the UEFA spotlight
In cases like this, UEFA has free rein to act, in the sense that, as the organizer of the European football tournaments, it is able to invite whoever it wants. Barça, however, could appeal any type of sanction, whether financial or sporting, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, as Manchester City did two years ago with the result that the tribunal overturned a harsh UEFA sanction, seeking to expel it from the Champions League for two seasons for allegedly breaching the Financial Fair Play regulations.
Those who fear the worst, however, recall that Barça is not exactly in UEFA's good books, since the Catalan club is one of the promoters of the European Superleague, along with Real Madrid and Juventus, and this proposed breakaway competition at elite level is the great obsession of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. Juve have already succumbed in Italy, where they have little chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Barça is following the roadmap
Barça, meanwhile, is following the roadmap established so far over the affair: Joan Laporta will give explanations in a press conference, but at the time Barça feels is best. The club is gathering information, joining all the dots, so that everything will be clear on the day when explanations are given.
In addition, Barça has already lodged five complaints against journalists who, according to the club, crossed a red line by accusing Barça, without evidence, of very serious actions. They are the first five of a long list of legal demands. Joan Laporta does not plan to allow the image of the club to be tarnished, where the feeling is growing more and more that Barça is being targeted in a harsh campaign to leave the entity fatally damaged.