×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Read Offline Anywhere
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Former Barca presidents deny corruption at ref scandal court appearance

FC Barcelona's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu leaves the Ciutat de la Justicia courthouse after a hearing on the ongoing FC Barcelona corruption case regarding alleged bribery payments to former refereeing chief, in Barcelona, on September 18, 2025. [AFP]

Former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted Thursday that payments the club made to a former refereeing chief during their time at the helm were not corrupt, during a court appearance on Thursday.

The club and some former officials are being investigated as part of the "Negreira case", after they paid a company owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira more than 7.3 million euros ($8.6 million) between 2001 and 2018, according to a complaint filed in 2023 which sent shockwaves across Spanish football.

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week
Fact‑first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Uninterrupted ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimized reading experience
  • Weekly Newsletters
  • MPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted
Already a subscriber? Log in
By AFP 13 hrs ago
Sports
Alonso leaves Real Madrid, Arbeloa appointed as coach
By AFP 13 hrs ago
Sports
Former New York marathon champ Albert Korir gets drug suspension
By Ben Ahenda 1 day ago
Sports
Mgamery triumphs at Davis Cup duel
By Mose Sammy 1 day ago
Sports
Kivuitu stars to clinch vital victory