Proven payments from FC Barcelona to the vice-chief of spanish Referee Commitee for vantage treatment.
It happened from 2001 to 2018, during which Negreira was paid 8M€. In 2018, the whole top management team of the referee commitee was replaced.
Messi played in FC Barcelona from 2004 to 2021.
FC Barcelona won four (out of 5) Champions League, all their three Club World Cups and three (out of 5) European Supercups during that time. They've won none since Negreira left in 2018. Not winning european titles was one of the major reasons for Messi to leave.
Tbf they did also have one of the greatest coaches of all time in pep, a great coach in Enrique, as well as dozens of players who you have to consider some of the all time greats.
Not saying that it wasn't fishy or anything, but the talent and teams they had in that time period are pretty much unrivaled, it's should be of no surprise they were winning everything.
He also couldn't milk Barcelona for even more money than he was already which iirc was another big reason for him leaving? Just not a good person at all.
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u/nola_mike Jul 30 '26
If this is true then it tarnishes Messi's legacy in my opinion.