La Liga president explains response to Barcelona referee controversy
By Tom Gott
La Liga president Javier Tebas has admitted his confusion towards Barcelona's payments to a company owned by a former referee official.
The ongoing investigation into the club's financial dealings has revealed payments to then vice-president of Spanish football’s Technical Committee of Referees, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, between 2016 and 2018.
Barcelona have since defended the payments, arguing they were made for consultancy work, although accusations have followed suggesting something more sinister may have been happening.
Asked about the accusations and La Liga's lack of response thus far, Tebas admitted he has no explanation for the payments and stressed the importance of leaving things to the relevant legal authorities at this point.
"I want to clarify things. I say that in the world of sports, in relation to the Negreira case, they are objective facts," Tebas said. "No sports entity can seek a sanction, because it is fact. I could not even open an investigation.
"At La Liga, after studying the issue, we have decided that filing a complaint would hinder the investigation of the Prosecutor's Office. Everything would be delayed a lot.
"Everything indications that there are indications - not evidence or crime - but indications that should be investigated. We do not want to hinder the investigation, which will end in a few months.
"They are strange and unusual events. The amount, the concepts... these have to be clarified."
Tebas, who admitted he has no contact with Barcelona about the investigation, refused to rule out the Blaugrana actually being the victim of something malicious.
"Barça could be the victim of a scammer," he said. "I've seen everything. I've seen manipulations, attempted manipulations, people who received money from two clubs... We're all older. So many years... it would be surprising.
"In the criminal sphere, you must clear up. And if it goes to court, we'll be there. If Barcelona has been involved, let them pay the consequences. Also legal entities. Negreira for fraud, or both. It wouldn't surprise me either, the way I see it."
In terms of consequences for Barcelona, Tebas admitted the results of the criminal investigation could dictate La Liga's response.
"In the criminal sphere, there may be sports consequences," the La Liga chief admitted. "We have to see what the Prosecutor's Office sees.
"If they see a crime, they will file a complaint, and if not, then no. We are going to wait. Let's not speculate. We do not want to create uncertainty."