Bernabéu erupts in chants against refereeing amidst Negreira controversy

The 60th minute of the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Sevilla at the Bernabéu witnessed a bizarre turn of events.

The referee, Díaz de Mera, was forced to stop the match due to an injury sustained on the field. While he received medical attention on the sidelines, the Bernabéu crowd erupted in a chorus of boos directed towards the official.

However, the jeers soon morphed into something more specific. Chants of “What comes out Negreira, what comes out Negreira” reverberated through the stadium, resonating with a significant portion of the audience.

This outburst was a direct reference to the ongoing controversy surrounding José María Enríquez Negreira.

Who is José María Enríquez Negreira?

Negreira is a former Spanish referee who held a position of significant power within the Spanish footballing landscape. He served as the vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), a crucial body responsible for the appointment and oversight of referees in La Liga, from 1994 to 2018.

The Negreira Payments and Subsequent Controversy

In February 2023, a bombshell revelation rocked the world of Spanish football. It was disclosed that Negreira’s company, DASNIL 95 SL, had received payments totaling over €1.7 million from FC Barcelona between 2001 and 2018.

These financial transactions, spanning nearly two decades, sparked widespread allegations of corruption and raised serious questions about the impartiality of the CTA during Negreira’s tenure.

The RFEF’s Response and Calls for Further Investigation

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the governing body of football in Spain, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

They maintain that the payments made to Negreira’s company were legitimate and constituted “advice on refereeing matters”.

However, this explanation has failed to quell the public outcry.

The significant sum of money involved, coupled with Negreira’s former position within the CTA, has fueled widespread distrust and suspicion regarding the integrity of Spanish football’s officiating system.

Consequently, there have been growing calls for an independent investigation to be conducted to thoroughly examine the nature of these payments and shed light on the entire situation.

The Bernabéu Chants: A Public Display of Discontent

The chants at the Bernabéu stadium serve as a potent illustration of the simmering discontent amongst fans towards the current state of affairs.

They represent a public display of frustration and a collective demand for transparency and accountability within the Spanish footballing hierarchy.

The incident underscores the need for a comprehensive and impartial investigation to address these concerns and restore faith in the fairness of the sport.