Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez has intensified legal and administrative actions against Barcelona regarding the ongoing Negreira case, with reports linking his shift in posture to the breakdown of the alliance previously shared by the two Spanish giants over the European Super League project.
According to Spanish publication Marca, Pérez originally resisted taking aggressive action against Barcelona during the early stages of the controversy, remarking at the time: “They are friends, and we need each other,” as shared strategic interests outweighed their traditional sporting rivalry.
However, the dynamic shifted after Barcelona officially withdrew from the Super League project in February 2026 and realigned with UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA), leaving Real Madrid virtually isolated in their challenge to European football’s governing structure.
Following the rupture, Real Madrid escalated their maneuvers by submitting an extensive dossier to UEFA requesting disciplinary measures and financial compensation against Barcelona, while Pérez publicly characterized the Negreira case as one of the largest scandals in football history.
The case centers on payments exceeding €7 million made by Barcelona between 2001 and 2018 to companies affiliated with José María Enríquez Negreira, former Vice President of the Technical Committee of Referees. Barcelona maintain that the payments were strictly for legitimate technical and refereeing consultancy reports, denying any attempts to influence match officials or manipulate results.
Barcelona have responded by initiating legal action against Pérez over statements questioning the integrity of the club’s honors. A court has set November 25 as the date for a mandatory conciliation hearing prior to a potential defamation lawsuit.
