Negreira Scandal: Barcelona has been charged with sporting corruption recently. The allegations claim that the Catalan club paid around €7.3m (£6.4m) to a firm owned by ex-vice-president of Spain’s referees’ committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, from 2001 to 2018 to get decisions in their favor. Recently, former Barca captain Gerard Pique spoke on the matter. Pique believes that the allegations will not tarnish Barca’s reputation and achievements. He even said that the club did not pay referees and that they were simply superior in that period. Follow La Liga LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
Negreira Scandal: Barcelona Legend Gerard Pique Makes Extreme Revelations Over Corruption, Claims Nothing Can ‘Smear the Golden Era’
The central defender played for Barcelona in most of the time, which is under investigation. He said, “I would put my hand on the fire that Barça has not bought referees. If you want to pay the referees, it’s easy, you stand by him and give the envelope, it’s easier than going to the vice-president of the refereeing committee.”
The retired star claimed that the period was a golden era for the club and the club achieved the results without any favor from referees. He said, “The players don’t know that. I don’t know if this gentleman’s job was to help in this, but as players we were out of it.”
Negreira Scandal: Barcelona Legend Gerard Pique Makes Extreme Revelations Over Corruption, Claims Nothing Can ‘Smear the Golden Era’ – Check Out
Pique: “I would put my hand in the fire that Barça has not bought referees. If you want to buy a referee, it’s very easy, stay with him and give him an envelope.” pic.twitter.com/ehi1lul1rF
— The FTBL Index 🎙 ⚽ (@TheFootballInd) March 14, 2023
If the allegations made against Barcelona come to be true, then surely the club will have to face consequences. What they achieved during the time period might be unknown to the players, who actually played the games and won them, but questions will be asked.
Barcelona won nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey, and four UEFA Champions League titles, during the time which is under investigation. However, things have not been the same for the club after the pandemic, but currently are table toppers and have the best odds to win the league.
Negreira Scandal: Barcelona Legend Gerard Pique Makes Extreme Revelations Over Corruption, Claims Nothing Can ‘Smear the Golden Era’ – Check Out