Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has reportedly written to both UEFA and FIFA to explain the club’s previous relationship with former referee chief Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
This is an attempt to avoid any immediate sanctions following payments made from Barcelona to a company owned by Negreira between 2016 and 2018, which have prompted allegations of corruption and bribery towards the club.
Spanish officials are investigating the payments beyond football, but UEFA and FIFA have also voiced their concerns and started their own investigations. Reports suggest that UEFA is fast-tracking its process to ensure any punishment will take effect before next season begins, something Barcelona hopes to avoid.
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According to Catalunya Radio, Laporta personally wrote to both UEFA and FIFA to further explain the payments to try and avoid sanctions. He is concerned that UEFA could sanction Barcelona before the legal investigation is completed, and he calls for delays to allow the full story to be told.
Barcelona remains adamant that they will prove their innocence and not be subject to any sanctions.
The president plans to hold a public press conference in the coming weeks to give an open explanation for the payments. However, Laporta’s efforts to avoid sanctions may be in vain as UEFA has a history of taking a strict stance on financial irregularities.
The investigation will likely continue, and Barcelona will have to wait to see the outcome.
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