Javier Tebas has reappeared on the scene. LaLiga's president has intervened this week before Congress. There, he spoke bluntly about the most controversial topics in Spanish soccer.
One of the key issues has been the Negreira Case. The president has revived the debate about the relationship between FC Barcelona and the former vice president of the CTA. He has done so with statements that have caused many reactions.
The Negreira Case remains alive and can still offer unexpected twists
The Negreira Case erupted when Barça's payments to Enríquez Negreira became known. The former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees would have received more than eight million euros. The figures correspond to referee reports between 2001 and 2018.
The payments are being investigated by the Spanish justice system. They seek to clarify whether there was an intention to influence referee decisions. As of today, the case remains open and could still offer many surprises.
Javier Tebas insists that LaLiga goes to the end with this case
From the very beginning, Javier Tebas has shown a very clear stance on the matter. He himself has recalled that LaLiga was the first to become a party in the case. "We are going to the end," he has assured.
But he has gone further with an especially harsh statement. "Referees weren't bought, but trying to influence promotions and relegations is indeed sports corruption." These words have stirred the debate in Spanish soccer once again.
Javier Tebas believes that Barça has damaged the integrity of the competition
For Tebas, the facts are serious even if they don't imply direct purchase. He believes that attempts to influence referee decisions already constitute damage to the competition. That's why he insists it must reach the ultimate consequences.
In his intervention, he also took a jab at the Federation. "If our anti-corruption rules were applied there, none of this would have happened," he said. He linked it to another recent case: Dani Olmo's registration.
Javier Tebas is not going to allow it again
Javier Tebas defends LaLiga's current protocols. He claims they are endorsed by organizations like AENOR. He believes these certifications are a guarantee of transparency against any suspicion of corruption.
Additionally, he wanted to highlight differences with other soccer institutions. According to him, LaLiga has acted exemplary from the very beginning. That's why he insists that the Negreira Case should serve as a lesson.
Barça is back at the center of the referee debate
Barça is back at the center of the media storm. Tebas's words reignite an issue that seemed extinguished. The tension between LaLiga's president and Barça escalates once again.
For now, there is no definitive resolution. But the pressure increases as statements like this accumulate. The Negreira Case, far from being closed, continues to set the agenda for Spanish soccer.