Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and FC Barcelona have been summoned to appear before a Madrid court on November 25 for a conciliation hearing ahead of possible criminal proceedings for defamation against Perez. This development follows legal action launched by Barcelona on June 12 over comments made by Perez in May. Barcelona's action was intended to force Perez to retract statements it described as knowingly false, defamatory and damaging to the club's image and reputation.
The dispute centres on comments Perez made at a May 12 press conference concerning the so-called Negreira case. Spanish courts are investigating payments said to be up to 7 million euros made over almost two decades by Barcelona to companies linked to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain's refereeing committee. The investigation aims to determine whether these payments were intended to obtain a competitive advantage.
Barcelona denies wrongdoing and says the payments were for reports on referees. A court dismissed bribery charges against Barcelona in 2024. Perez described the affair as "the most serious case of corruption in football". He also claimed that Real Madrid had been denied league titles, saying that he could have won twice as many league titles if not for the alleged corruption.
The hearing is a crucial step in the legal process, and if the conciliation process fails, Barcelona has warned that it will file a criminal complaint. This could lead to further action against Perez and potentially other individuals involved in the case. The case has significant implications for both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the biggest clubs in Spanish football.
The Negreira case has been a subject of controversy in Spanish football for several years. The investigation into Barcelona's payments to companies linked to Negreira has raised questions about the integrity of the sport. Perez's comments on the matter have added fuel to the fire, with Barcelona taking legal action to protect its reputation.
The summons for Perez and Barcelona to appear before the Madrid court is a significant development in the case. It remains to be seen how the conciliation hearing will play out and what the consequences will be for the parties involved. The case will likely continue to generate significant interest and attention in the world of Spanish football.
The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for Spanish football, potentially leading to changes in the way clubs are governed and the way referees are appointed. It could also lead to further scrutiny of financial transactions between clubs and individuals with influence over the sport.
Key points
- Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and FC Barcelona have been summoned to appear before a Madrid court on November 25 for a conciliation hearing.
- The dispute centres on comments Perez made about Barcelona's payments to companies linked to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain's refereeing committee.
- The case has significant implications for both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the biggest clubs in Spanish football.
