Bartomeu raises questions. I have no explanation for Negrea’s payments

Former president of the club Josep Maria Bartomeu said Barcelona Between 2014 and 2020, new details emerged about the Negira case, which refers to allegations against the Catalan club of paying referees between 2000 and 2018.

Bartomeu said in an interview with Cadena Ser radio today, Tuesday, that the payments in the Negrea case go back many years and that he does not have a clear explanation for them, opening the door to accusations from previous club management.

Bartomeu also emphasized that Negrera “didn’t do any service to the club” while acknowledging the existence of the reports prepared by his son Javier.

He added that the payments were for arbitration reports and video analytics and that those reports were available and useful, explaining that some coaches may not have received them while others did.

He noted that in March 2018, a decision was made to end the partnership, after informing Javier Enriquez that this would be his last season with the club.

Radio Cadena Ser was the station that previously revealed the Barsgate scandal, one of the most important issues that contributed to his early departure from the club’s presidency.

Bartomeu sparked controversy with a surprise announcement when he confirmed he would renew his contract with Nicestream, a company whose name has been linked to smear campaigns against club figures such as Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola.

Bartomeu explained that the contract with the company was aimed at monitoring what was said about the club in the digital space, noting that the club previously monitored traditional media, but there was no such type of tracking on digital platforms.

He added that he did not give instructions to attack individuals, stressing that the goal is only monitoring and analysis.

Bartomeu has also defended his financial management, stressing that during his time the wage bill made up 70% of the club’s budget, a high percentage, but which he described as sustainable given the large revenues of over a billion euros.

He attributed the financial deterioration to the Corona epidemic, while criticizing his successor Joan Laporta, accusing him of exaggerating losses, which led to the club losing the advantage of financial fair play.

At the end of the speech, Bartomeu addressed the case of Lionel Messi, stressing that he wants him to continue until the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, given his economic and commercial importance to the club, noting that his departure still affects Barcelona’s revenues to this day.