The Spanish newspaper 'Sport' revealed audio recordings of testimonies from FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, and former coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, as part of the Negreira case after they testified as witnesses last Friday. These recordings were later circulated through several Spanish media outlets.

According to the newspaper, both Luis Enrique and Valverde confirmed that they were unaware of any refereeing reports or of José María Enríquez Negreira during their time at Barcelona. They emphasized that no such reports were presented to them, nor did they request any at any time. Luis Enrique also denied knowing either Negreira senior or junior, affirming that the matter was never raised with him or his technical staff.

The newspaper further reported that Ernesto Valverde acknowledged that he was aware some clubs use refereeing consultants, but denied that Barcelona informed him of such services or provided him with any documents related to referees during his tenure as head coach.

Meanwhile, the Sport report mentioned that Joan Laporta defended the payments linked to Negreira’s companies in his testimony, affirming that these payments were inherited from previous administrations and that they continued because they were considered a useful service for the club. He pointed out that the sports management was the beneficiary of these analyses and clarified that he believed the reports were prepared by Negreira’s son, which contradicts the latter’s account.

Laporta confirmed that FC Barcelona had no intention to manipulate competition, considering that the case aims to tarnish the club’s achievements, especially during a period when the team returned to winning titles.

The report confirmed that these recordings, included in the case file as official testimonies, add new information to a case that remains open and continues to have a significant impact both institutionally and sportingly within FC Barcelona.