According to Spanish media reports, the court overseeing the Negreira case has issued a ruling approving a further six‑month extension to the investigation period starting March 1, 2026, meaning the case will last at least until September.
This is the fourth extension at this judicial stage, coming exactly three years after the scandal first erupted. On February 15, 2023, Cadena SER revealed that FC Barcelona had paid €2.1 million to José María Enríquez Negreira, vice‑president of the Referees’ Technical Committee, between 2016 and 2018. The total amount for services provided between 2001 and 2018 later rose to €8.4 million.
The proceedings have now been in the investigative stage for three years, with no trial date set. Judge Alejandra Hill Lima, who took over the case on February 20, 2025, deemed an extension necessary to complete pending procedural steps.
These include potential questioning of new witnesses who could help clarify the payment network and possible criminal and sporting liability. The delayed testimony of Elena Fort, appearing as a legal representative of FC Barcelona, has been a key factor. The process remains open at two levels of jurisdiction.
April 10 has been marked as a major date on the judicial calendar, with FC Barcelona as a legal entity and its representative Carlos Naval summoned to testify. Both appearances have been requested by Real Madrid, which is participating as a private prosecution.
Their testimony could be crucial to determining whether the invoices were for genuine services or, as the prosecution claims, aimed at securing sporting advantages — a prerequisite before the case can advance to trial.
The ruling states that reconsideration appeals may be filed within three days and/or appeals within five days. The prosecutor’s office and other involved parties have been notified. Meanwhile, Negreira’s defense has requested a new medical evaluation to determine whether he should be excluded from the case due to moderate dementia. UEFA has kept its investigation file open, and FIFA continues to monitor developments.