A Spanish court has dismissed bribery charges against FC Barcelona in a corruption scandal involving referees.

The investigation focused on payments made to a company owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA), amounting to over €7.3 million from 1994 to 2018.

Key Developments

Charges Quashed: The court ruled Negreira was not a public official during his CTA tenure, leading to the dismissal of bribery charges against Barcelona.

Ongoing Investigation: Former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, among others, remain under investigation for alleged sporting corruption.

Club’s Stance: Barcelona maintains its innocence, stating payments were for advisory services on refereeing matters.

This decision marks a significant development in a case scrutinising the integrity of Spanish football, with broader implications for governance and ethical practices in sports.