The president of LaLiga has broken his silence after the news that Barcelona paid £1.2 million (R26 million) to a high-ranking referee chief.
Xavi Reacts To Raphinha's Tantrum After Being Subbed
Rival supporters in Spain are up in arms after it was proved that the Catalan giants made significant payments to a company owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2016 and 2018.
At the time, Negreira was vice-president of the refereeing committee in the country, leading to suggestions that the Blaugrana have been involved in a potential match-fixing scheme.
In a statement released this week, Barcelona said the former official had been paid for reports on players from Spain's lower leagues and refereeing, calling it "common place" in football.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas, on Friday, stated that there could not be sports disciplinary sanctions, but added that it could become a criminal matter.
"It is evident that in 2018 and in previous years the 'compliance' regulations which monitor conflicts of interest, both for Barcelona and the referee's committee, failed," Tebas said, according to ESPN.
"From what we are seeing, what's been revealed in the media, they obviously didn't work as these services should never have been provided. Neither the amounts of money, nor the facts which have been unveiled.
"We must clarify from the outset, we have already looked into [sporting sanctions] – it is not possible to impose sports disciplinary sanctions because five years have already passed.
"Criminal jurisdiction is another issue. Now the prosecutor's office is investigating the events that occurred and whether there may be a possible crime of corruption between individuals in terms of match-fixing.
"Let's see how that investigation ends. At LaLiga, we are going to wait and respect the prosecutor's office investigation and once that has finished, see whether it does decide to file the appropriate complaint or lawsuit in the corresponding courts. From there, we will make decisions."
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments
WATCH VIDEO:
