Spanish police have raided offices of the Spanish soccer federation as part of a judicial investigation into the alleged payment of millions of euros over several years by Barcelona soccer club to the vice president of Spain’s football refereeing committee.
MADRID — Spanish police raided offices of the Spanish soccer federation on Thursday as part of a judicial investigation into the alleged payment of millions of euros over several years by Barcelona soccer club to the vice president of Spain’s football refereeing committee.
The Guardia Civil confirmed to The Associated Press that its police had searched the offices of the referee committee at the federation headquarters near Madrid. The police said they had not made any arrests and were acting on the orders of the judge investigating the case. In March, state prosecutors formally accused Barcelona of corruption in sports, fraudulent management, and falsification of mercantile documentation. Prosecutors said the club paid José María Enríquez Negreira, a former referee who was a part of the federation’s refereeing committee from 1994 to 2018, 7.3 million euros from 2001-18.
Barcelona has denied any wrongdoing or conflict of interest, saying it paid for technical reports on referees but never tried to influence their decisions in games. The raids come after the federation has been rocked by a sexism scandal after its now former president kissed a player without her consent during the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony last month.The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Barcelona's winning streak ends with 2-2 draw at Mallorca in Spanish leagueBarcelona’s five-game winning streak in the Spanish league has ended with a 2-2 draw at Mallorca. Barcelona twice came from behind to salvage the away draw.
Read more »
Spanish police raid soccer federation as part of probe into Barcelona's payments to referee officialSpanish police have raided offices of the Spanish soccer federation as part of a judicial investigation into the alleged payment of millions of euros over several years by Barcelona soccer club to the vice president of Spain’s football refereeing committee
Read more »
Shakira owes $7 million in second Spanish tax fraud case, prosecutor says By ReutersShakira owes $7 million in second Spanish tax fraud case, prosecutor says
Read more »
Spanish conservative leader seen as unlikely to win approval to form governmentThe leader of Spain's conservatives will have his opportunity to form a new government this week in what has been preordained as a lost cause given his lack...
Read more »
Shakira accused of defrauding Spanish Treasury of $7M, already facing tax fraudThe Colombian superstar was accused by prosecutors in Spain of skirting $7.1 million in taxes on her 2018 income.
Read more »