Joan Laporta Exonerated in 'Negreira Case'
- ByAlejandro Sánchez --
- 2024-05-31 17:19:23 --
- 0 Comments --
- ESP
In a significant development, the President of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has been completely exonerated from the 'Negreira Case' in just one week. The Barcelona Audience Court has granted several appeals and annulled the decision of Barcelona Investigative Court No. 1 to accuse Laporta and the members of the Barcelona Board of Directors between June 15, 2003, and June 30, 2010, for the payments made to former Vice-President of the Technical Arbitration Committee (CTA), José María Enríquez Negreira.
The Negreira Case
The 'Negreira Case' is a high-profile investigation into alleged payments made by FC Barcelona to Enríquez Negreira, who served as the Vice-President of the CTA from 1994 to 2018. The payments, which amounted to €7.6 million between 2011 and 2018, were made during the tenures of former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu.
The case had initially implicated Laporta, who served as Barcelona's president from 2003 to 2010, as well as the members of his board during that period. However, the latest rulings by the Barcelona Audience Court have completely exonerated Laporta and his board from any criminal responsibility in the matter.
Reasons for Exoneration
The Barcelona Audience Court's decision to exonerate Laporta and his board rests on several key factors. Firstly, the court has determined that Enríquez Negreira was not considered a public official, as the initial investigating judge had claimed. This means that the charge of bribery, which was the basis for the initial implication of Laporta and his board, cannot be applied in this case.
Secondly, the court has ruled that the alleged offenses committed during Laporta's first term as Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010 have already reached the statute of limitations. The court explained that the prescription period for the most serious offense that could be attributed to Laporta and his board is five years, and this period has already expired.
"The mandate of Mr. Laporta, as a director of FC Barcelona, took place between June 15 and June 30, 2010, and this last day on which he held office will determine the beginning of the prescription period."
The Barcelona Audience Court's decision has been welcomed by Laporta and the Barcelona club, as it puts an end to the criminal proceedings against them in the 'Negreira Case'. The investigation, however, will continue for the other initial suspects, namely former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, as well as Negreira and his son, for the alleged offenses of unfaithful management, sports corruption, and document forgery.
Implications and Next Steps
The exoneration of Laporta and his board is a significant development in the 'Negreira Case.' It not only clears their names but also removes the potential legal and reputational damage that could have resulted from the ongoing investigation.
The case, however, is far from over. The investigation will continue for the remaining suspects, and the final outcome will have implications for the future of Barcelona and the broader Spanish football landscape. The club and its fans will be closely watching the developments as the case progresses.
Overall, the exoneration of Laporta and his board is a positive step for the club and its current leadership. It allows them to focus on the team's performance and future plans without the weight of the 'Negreira Case' looming over them. As the investigation continues, the football world will be watching closely to see how the case unfolds and what impact it may have on the sport in Spain.
- Joan Laporta and the Barcelona board members from 2003 to 2010 have been exonerated from the 'Negreira Case'
- The Barcelona Audience Court has ruled that the alleged offenses committed during Laporta's first term as president have reached the statute of limitations
- The investigation will continue for former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, as well as Negreira and his son
The 'Negreira Case' has been a significant challenge for FC Barcelona, but the exoneration of Laporta and his board is a positive step forward. As the investigation continues, the club and its fans will be closely monitoring the developments and their potential impact on the team's future.
In the meantime, the focus will likely shift to the ongoing season and the team's performance on the pitch. With Laporta's leadership and the support of the club's faithful fans, Barcelona will be looking to move forward and achieve success in the coming years, regardless of the outcome of the 'Negreira Case.'