Over the referee payments controversy, Barcelona is accused of corruption in LaLiga

Two former LaLiga club presidents, Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, as well as Barcelona, have all been charged with corruption, according to Spanish prosecutors.

The accusations concern compensation given to José Maria Enriquez Negreira, a former vice president of the refereeing committee.

Between 2001 and 2018, Barca gave Negreira’s business close to €7 million.

They are charged with fraud in administration, falsifying company records, and engaging in unethical business and sports practises.

From 2010 to 2014, Rosell presided over Barcelona; Bartomeu took over in 2015.

The next year, in 2020, after serving as president for six years, Bartomeu announced his resignation. Joan Laporta was then chosen to succeed him in 2021.

Barca say the payments were for “technical reports on refereeing”.