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Rosell and Bartomeu Defend Barcelona’s Referee Payments in First Court Testimony

Prosecutors are investigating multimillion payments to the former refereeing vice chief with questions about destination or intent still unresolved.

Overview

  • Questioned as defendants before judge Alejandra Gil, the former presidents said the outlays to José María Enríquez Negreira were for useful technical advisory reports inherited from prior boards.
  • Rosell argued the sums could not buy referees, citing an average of about €250 per report, while Bartomeu said the team’s quality made any alleged manipulation unnecessary.
  • Javier Enríquez acknowledged producing referee reports for the club, invoicing through intermediary Josep Contreras, who allegedly kept a 45% commission, and delivering materials in person.
  • Ana Paula Rufás exercised her right not to testify, after a Guardia Civil report noted up to €3 million moving through her account over decades as apparently unjustified by declared income.
  • Case files include 135 transfers totaling roughly €7.3 million and note periods of doubled fees under Laporta’s first term and Rosell, while referees interviewed by investigators denied receiving instructions to favor Barcelona.