Javier Tebas has gone back on the attack over the Negreira case, saying it still must be investigated to the end. He also rejected the idea that Negreira continues to influence Spanish refereeing in 2026, and singled out Real Madrid TV for repeating a line he says is not true.
Tebas's latest intervention
Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, Tebas said, "I still think exactly the same about the Negreira case: what happened was very serious and must be investigated to the end." He then added, "However, building in 2026 the narrative that Negreira continues to influence Spanish refereeing today is an outrage. And repeating it from Real Madrid TV does not make it true."
That is the line he has chosen to hold. The case should be examined fully, but the claim that the old Negreira payments are still shaping refereeing now is the one he is pushing back against.
Real Madrid and Barcelona remain in the frame
Tebas also asked whether LaLiga should replace the courts and punish Barcelona before a judicial ruling exists, before saying the facts are time-barred in the Spanish sports disciplinary sphere. His point is that the legal process comes first, not a parallel punishment from the league.
The wider backdrop is a live title race, not a dead issue. Real Madrid are 4th in La Liga with 15 points from 7 matches, while Barcelona lead the table with 21 points from 7 matches. Tebas's comments land with both clubs still central to the argument, and his latest swipe at Real Madrid TV suggests the feud around the case is nowhere near settling down.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
