Real Madrid Submit 50,000 Pages to UEFA in Barcelona Referee Payments Case
Real Madrid have submitted more than 50,000 pages of material to UEFA as they press for disciplinary action against Barcelona over payments made to a former senior refereeing official, with the Spanish criminal proceedings still unresolved.
The complaint concerns payments made by Barcelona over roughly two decades to the former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees. Real Madrid said UEFA had acknowledged receipt of its submission and would continue its investigation into the matter.
In its statement, Madrid said the file contained extensive evidence relating to events it considers exceptionally serious, arguing that the case raises questions about both the integrity of competition and trust in the refereeing structure.
Madrid seek sporting ruling before court case ends
The Spanish court process remains under way, but Madrid’s position is that UEFA should not wait for a final criminal verdict before considering footballing sanctions. The club maintains that disciplinary responsibility under the game’s integrity rules can be assessed separately from criminal liability.
Madrid believe the dossier gives UEFA the basis to pursue a major sporting punishment. Under UEFA regulations, clubs found to have been directly or indirectly involved in efforts to influence match results may be excluded from European competition.
Barcelona could therefore face a Champions League ban of at least one season as well as a significant financial sanction if UEFA were to find a breach. Madrid’s board argues that payments to a high-ranking referee-body official across a 15-year period would represent a serious violation of UEFA’s ethical standards.
UEFA scrutiny continues
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has previously described the allegations as among the most serious matters he has encountered in football. He has also stressed the independence of UEFA’s disciplinary bodies, which will determine whether any action is taken.
Madrid called for the European investigation to be concluded without delay, saying UEFA’s competent bodies should make decisions proportionate to the seriousness of any facts established during the process.
The club added that it would remain involved in the case and continue to assist UEFA, stating that it regarded the allegations as incompatible with the principles of integrity, transparency and fair play expected in European football.
