# Negreira case: what refereeing data actually show

> Negreira case: sourced timeline, status of the proceedings as of 2 October 2026 and what 9,880 Liga matches show before, during and after the payments.

Source: https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/

Study

# Negreira case: before / during / after

What the numbers say about refereeing before, during and after the payments.

- 2000-01 → 2025-26

- 9,880 matches

- Updated on 3 October 2026

- [Method](https://elcolegiado.com/methodology/#did)
[Barça vs control group in the comparison tool](https://elcolegiado.com/compare/?etudie=barcelona&p1=pendant&p2=apres)[Methodology](https://elcolegiado.com/methodology/)

Payment period

2001 → 2018

17 Liga seasons

Barça vs control group, points − expected

−0.111

Difference-in-differences per match, q = 0.27: inconclusive

Notable referee × club deviations

0

out of 1,325 pairs tested, after correction

Dated events

49

As of 2 October 2026

## Key takeaways

- **0** notable referee × club deviations after correction, out of 1,325 pairs tested (2000-01 → 2025-26). [See](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#verdicts)

- Barça against the control group, points − expected: **−0.111** per match between "during" (2001-18) and "after" (2018-26), q = 0.27: inconclusive. [See](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#statistiques)

- Adjusted fouls and yellows: raw p 0.02 and 0.08, but q = 0.08 and 0.24 after correction: inconclusive. [See](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#statistiques)

- A referee × club pair has a median of **11** matches: only deviations of about ±1.57 points per match were detectable. [See](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#verdicts)

- Compared with Real Madrid, the fouls and yellow-card balance moved notably after 2018 (q [See](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#statistiques)

- No referee prosecuted as of 2 October 2026; payments from 2001 to 2018. [See](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#chronologie)

**Status of the proceedings as of 2 October 2026:** As of 1 September 2026 (EFE via Infobae; The Objective), the case is still at the investigation stage (instrucción) before Barcelona Investigating Court No. 1 (Juzgado de Instrucción n.º 1; Judge Alejandra Gil Lima): the judge refused a further extension requested by Real Madrid and supported by the Public Prosecutor's Office, but the investigation phase will not be closed before two witness statements scheduled for 13 November 2026, and an appeal concerning investigative measures remains pending before the Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial). [Full timeline](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#chronologie)

**Keep in mind:** Everyone mentioned is presumed innocent; a statistical deviation is not proof. VAR arrives in 2018-19, the same season the payments end. [All limitations](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#limites)

## Context

Between 2001 and 2018, FC Barcelona paid money to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, then vice-president of the referees' committee (CTA). The Spanish courts are investigating the case; no referee is being prosecuted.

Established facts, court decisions, allegations and ongoing proceedings are kept apart; each event links to its sources.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is Negreira?

José María Enríquez Negreira is a former referee who was vice-president of the RFEF's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) until 2018. Companies linked to him received payments from FC Barcelona. See the [sourced timeline](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#chronologie).

### What is the Negreira case?

Between 2001 and 2018, FC Barcelona paid money to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, then vice-president of the referees' committee (CTA). The Spanish courts are investigating the case; no referee is being prosecuted. The site compares those years with refereeing data, without presuming anything.

### What period do the payments cover?

From 2001 to 2018. The site compares three periods: before (2000-01), during (2001-02 → 2017-18) and after (2018-19 → 2025-26); see the [statistics by period](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#statistiques).

### Is there a conviction or a trial date?

As of 2 October 2026, there has been no conviction and the case is still at the investigation stage: As of 1 September 2026 (EFE via Infobae; The Objective), the case is still at the investigation stage (instrucción) before Barcelona Investigating Court No. 1 (Juzgado de Instrucción n.º 1; Judge Alejandra Gil Lima): the judge refused a further extension requested by Real Madrid and supported by the Public Prosecutor's Office, but the investigation phase will not be closed before two witness statements scheduled for 13 November 2026, and an appeal concerning investigative measures remains pending before the Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial). The dated details are under "Status of the proceedings".

### Has any referee been charged?

No. As of 2 October 2026, no referee is being prosecuted in this case; everyone mentioned is presumed innocent.

### Do the data show that referees favoured Barcelona?

No referee × club deviation remains notable after correction for multiple testing (1,325 pairs tested). These tests have limited power: with a median of 11 matches, only deviations of about ±1.57 points per match could be detected. Over the payment period, the only signals concern fouls and yellow cards (raw p 0.02 and 0.08); they do not survive the correction (q = 0.08 and 0.24). Compared with Real Madrid, the fouls and yellow-card balance moved notably after 2018 (q < 0.001 – 0.04): Barça's advantage shrank while Real Madrid's grew. This is not the case against the control group (q = 0.08 to 0.27). Playing style, VAR (2018-19) and the end of the payments coincide and cannot be separated. [See the verdicts](https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/#verdicts)

### Where does the data come from?

Scores and odds from football-data.co.uk, referees and cards from Zenodo (BeSoccer) and Wikipedia, cross-checked; everything can be downloaded from the [Data](https://elcolegiado.com/data/) page and the method is published in the [methodology](https://elcolegiado.com/methodology/).

## Timeline

Status of the proceedings As of 2 October 2026

As of 1 September 2026 (EFE via Infobae; The Objective), the case is still at the investigation stage (instrucción) before Barcelona Investigating Court No. 1 (Juzgado de Instrucción n.º 1; Judge Alejandra Gil Lima): the judge refused a further extension requested by Real Madrid and supported by the Public Prosecutor's Office, but the investigation phase will not be closed before two witness statements scheduled for 13 November 2026, and an appeal concerning investigative measures remains pending before the Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial). According to 2025-2026 sources, those still under investigation are FC Barcelona (as a legal entity), former presidents Rosell and Bartomeu, former executives, Negreira and his son; Joan Laporta was removed from the case in 2024 and Joan Gaspart has only been heard as a witness. The offence of bribery (cohecho) and the money-laundering line of investigation concerning the club were ruled out by the Audiencia in 2024, and a 2026 expert report found Negreira unfit to follow the proceedings, with no known court decision on the matter. No trial has been scheduled, no referee is being prosecuted, all persons named are entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the UEFA investigation opened in 2023 remains ongoing (receipt of a dossier from Real Madrid announced on 1 October 2026).

Key facts

Payment period **2001 → 2018** Total amount reported **€6.65m to €8.4m**

Depending on the source: 4 different figures (see "Where the sources differ").

Dated events **49**

61 sources cited

Referees prosecuted **None**

As of 2 October 2026

Type

Status

Jump to year

Status legend

- Established fact

- Court decision

- Allegation

- Ongoing

Statuses distinguish established facts, court decisions, allegations and ongoing proceedings; they carry no judgement.

49 events shown

### 1994

- 1994 precision: year Established fact #### Negreira becomes vice-president of the CTA Institutional José María Enríquez Negreira, a former referee, served as vice-president of the Comité Técnico de Árbitros (CTA), the RFEF body responsible for refereeing, from 1994 to 2018, under the presidency of Victoriano Sánchez Arminio. The CTA's duties include assessing referees and deciding on promotions and relegations between categories. Sources (3) [La Fiscalía acusa al Barça de sobornar a Negreira para recibir favores arbitrales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/fiscalia-denuncia-barca-expresidentes-rosell-bartomeu-caso-negreira_1_10022759.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-03-10

- [Negreira case Q&A: FC Barcelona referee payments scandal explained](https://www.catalannews.com/in-depth/item/negreira-case-qa-fc-barcelona-referee-payments-scandal-explained) · Catalan News (ACN) · 2023-04-29

- [Barca deny they sought to influence refs through €1.4m deal with former match official](https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/02/20/barca-deny-sought-influence-refs-e1-4m-deal-former-match-official/) · Inside World Football · 2023-02-20

### 2001

- 2001 precision: year Established fact #### FC Barcelona's payments begin Payments According to the complaint filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office (Fiscalía), FC Barcelona began in 2001 to pay sums to companies linked to Negreira (mainly Dasnil 95 SL, as well as Nilsad SCP). The payments continued under the presidencies of Gaspart, Laporta, Rosell and Bartomeu. Sources (2) [La Fiscalía acusa al Barça de sobornar a Negreira para recibir favores arbitrales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/fiscalia-denuncia-barca-expresidentes-rosell-bartomeu-caso-negreira_1_10022759.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-03-10

- [La Fiscalía denuncia al FC Barcelona, Bartomeu y Rosell por presunta corrupción en los pagos a Negreira](https://www.publico.es/deportes/fiscalia-denuncia-fc-barcelona-bartomeu-rosell-presunta-corrupcion-pagos-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-03-10

### 2016

- 2016 precision: year Established fact #### 2016-2018 payments broken down by company Payments For 2016-2018, the reported amounts are: Dasnil 95 SL (Negreira's company) approximately €1.39 million (€532,728 in 2016, €541,752 in 2017, €318,200 in 2018); Nilsad SCP, a single payment of €50,000 in 2016; Soccercam SL, a company belonging to his son Javier Enríquez, €450,120 invoiced to the club. Sources (2) [El nuevo escándalo que golpea al Barcelona por un pago millonario](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/laliga/2023/02/15/el-nuevo-escandalo-que-golpea-al-barcelona-por-un-pago-millonario-no-es-casualidad-que-salga-ahora/) · Infobae · 2023-02-15

- [Barcelona: Las claves para entender el 'caso Negreira'](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/11794176/barcelona-caso-negreira-claves-arbitros-laliga-espana) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-03-22

### 2018

- 2018 precision: year Established fact #### Payments stop Payments The club stopped its payments in 2018, at the time of Negreira's departure from the CTA. Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu has stated that he ended them to cut costs. The exact month of the last payment varies between sources (May or June 2018). Sources (2) [Barcelona amenazado por exvicepresidente de árbitros con burofax tras suspender pagos](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/11637061/barcelona-amenazado-por-exvicepresidente-de-arbitros-con-burofax-tras-suspender-pagos-reportes) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-02-17

- [Barca deny they sought to influence refs through €1.4m deal with former match official](https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/02/20/barca-deny-sought-influence-refs-e1-4m-deal-former-match-official/) · Inside World Football · 2023-02-20
- May 2018 precision: month Established fact #### End of Negreira's term at the CTA Institutional After his election as RFEF president in May 2018, Luis Rubiales announced the replacement of the CTA leadership (Sánchez Arminio and his team, including Negreira). Carlos Velasco Carballo became CTA president. Sources (3) [Fallece Victoriano Sánchez Arminio (EFE)](https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2023/05/21/fallece-victoriano-sanchez-arminio/) · Infobae / EFE · 2023-05-21

- [La Fiscalía denuncia al FC Barcelona, Bartomeu y Rosell por presunta corrupción en los pagos a Negreira](https://www.publico.es/deportes/fiscalia-denuncia-fc-barcelona-bartomeu-rosell-presunta-corrupcion-pagos-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-03-10

- [Barca deny they sought to influence refs through €1.4m deal with former match official](https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/02/20/barca-deny-sought-influence-refs-e1-4m-deal-former-match-official/) · Inside World Football · 2023-02-20

### 2019

- February 2019 precision: month Allegation #### Negreira's letter to President Bartomeu Payments According to press reports published in February 2023, in February 2019, after the payments had stopped, Negreira sent a letter to Josep Maria Bartomeu referring to possible revelations about club "irregularities". The exact content of these irregularities has not been established. Sources (1) [Barcelona amenazado por exvicepresidente de árbitros con burofax tras suspender pagos](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/11637061/barcelona-amenazado-por-exvicepresidente-de-arbitros-con-burofax-tras-suspender-pagos-reportes) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-02-17
- July 2019 precision: month Established fact #### Tax audit of FC Barcelona Investigation The Spanish Tax Agency (Hacienda) opened an audit of FC Barcelona covering corporate income tax (2015-2018) and VAT (2015-2017), during which the invoices from Negreira's companies came to light. This audit is the origin of the criminal case. Sources (2) [Enríquez Negreira declara ante Hacienda: "El Barça quería que todo fuera neutral"](https://www.publico.es/deportes/enriquez-negreira-declara-hacienda-barca-queria-fuera-neutral.html) · Público · 2023-03-17

- [Admitida a trámite la denuncia de la Fiscalía contra el Barça por el 'caso Negreira'](https://www.publico.es/politica/admitida-tramite-denuncia-fiscalia-barca-caso-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-03-15

### 2021

- October 2021 precision: month Established fact #### Negreira's statement to Hacienda Investigation Heard by the Tax Agency in October 2021, Negreira stated, according to documents reported by the press, that the club wanted "everything to be neutral" and described his work as technical refereeing analyses. According to the press, the Tax Agency indicated that it could not establish that these payments had influenced referee appointments or results. Sources (2) [Enríquez Negreira declara ante Hacienda: "El Barça quería que todo fuera neutral"](https://www.publico.es/deportes/enriquez-negreira-declara-hacienda-barca-queria-fuera-neutral.html) · Público · 2023-03-17

- [Barcelona: Las claves para entender el 'caso Negreira'](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/11794176/barcelona-caso-negreira-claves-arbitros-laliga-espana) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-03-22

### 2023

- 15 February 2023 Established fact #### Revelation by Cadena SER Investigation The programme "Què t'hi jugues" on Cadena SER Catalunya revealed that the Public Prosecutor's Office was investigating payments of approximately €1.4 million made by FC Barcelona to Dasnil 95 SL between 2016 and 2018, while Negreira was vice-president of the CTA. Sources (2) [El nuevo escándalo que golpea al Barcelona por un pago millonario](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/laliga/2023/02/15/el-nuevo-escandalo-que-golpea-al-barcelona-por-un-pago-millonario-no-es-casualidad-que-salga-ahora/) · Infobae · 2023-02-15

- [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14
- 15 February 2023 Established fact #### FC Barcelona's position: technical reports Statement The club acknowledged the payments and stated that it had paid an external consultant for video reports on young players and technical reports on professional refereeing intended for the coaching staff, a practice it presented as common. It denied any attempt to influence referees. Sources (2) [Barca deny they sought to influence refs through €1.4m deal with former match official](https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2023/02/20/barca-deny-sought-influence-refs-e1-4m-deal-former-match-official/) · Inside World Football · 2023-02-20

- [El nuevo escándalo que golpea al Barcelona por un pago millonario](https://www.infobae.com/deportes/laliga/2023/02/15/el-nuevo-escandalo-que-golpea-al-barcelona-por-un-pago-millonario-no-es-casualidad-que-salga-ahora/) · Infobae · 2023-02-15
- 16 February 2023 Established fact #### LaLiga invokes the sporting statute of limitations Sporting LaLiga president Javier Tebas stated that no sporting disciplinary sanction was possible because the facts were time-barred (three-year limitation period), while considering that such facts should not occur. The criminal route remains separate. Sources (2) [Tebas descarta sanciones deportivas al Barça porque los hechos "ya han prescrito"](https://www.publico.es/sociedad/video-tebas-descarta-sanciones-deportivas-barca-hechos-han-prescrito-pese-admitir-cosas-pueden-ocurrir-futbol-espanol.html) · Público · 2023-02-16

- [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14
- 16 February 2023 Established fact #### The RFEF requests information Institutional The RFEF's Integrity department sent a confidential request for information to the CTA officials and to FC Barcelona. Sources (1) [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14
- 21 February 2023 Established fact #### Statement by LaLiga and the clubs Statement LaLiga's executive committee, backed by almost all the clubs, described the case as extremely serious, said it had passed information to the Public Prosecutor's Office and undertook to act within the scope of its legal powers. Sources (1) [Clubs reject and condemn the known facts of the Negreira/FC Barcelona case](https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/clubs-reject-and-condemn-the-known-facts-of-the-negreira-fc-barcelona-case) · LaLiga (communiqué officiel) · 2023-02-21
- 24 February 2023 Established fact #### Complaint by a referee, Xavier Estrada Fernández Court proceedings Referee Xavier Estrada Fernández filed a complaint for sporting corruption against Negreira, his son and Dasnil 95 SL. It was later admitted by the court together with that of the Public Prosecutor's Office. Sources (2) [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14

- [Admitida a trámite la denuncia de la Fiscalía contra el Barça por el 'caso Negreira'](https://www.publico.es/politica/admitida-tramite-denuncia-fiscalia-barca-caso-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-03-15
- 8 March 2023 Established fact #### LaLiga announces it will join the proceedings as a party Institutional Javier Tebas announced that LaLiga would join the proceedings as a party (acusación), considering that the reputation of the competition takes precedence over that of any club. Sources (1) [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14
- 10 March 2023 Allegation #### Complaint by the Fiscalía Court proceedings The Barcelona Public Prosecutor's Office filed a complaint against FC Barcelona (as a legal entity), former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu, former executives Òscar Grau and Albert Soler, and Negreira, for private-to-private corruption in sport (continuing offence), unfair administration (administración desleal) and falsification of commercial documents (falsedad en documento mercantil). According to the Fiscalía, the payments amounted to €7.3 million (2001-2018) and were made under a confidential verbal agreement aimed at favouring the club in refereeing decisions; those concerned dispute this interpretation. The complaint does not target any referee. Sources (2) [La Fiscalía acusa al Barça de sobornar a Negreira para recibir favores arbitrales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/fiscalia-denuncia-barca-expresidentes-rosell-bartomeu-caso-negreira_1_10022759.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-03-10

- [La Fiscalía denuncia al FC Barcelona, Bartomeu y Rosell por presunta corrupción en los pagos a Negreira](https://www.publico.es/deportes/fiscalia-denuncia-fc-barcelona-bartomeu-rosell-presunta-corrupcion-pagos-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-03-10
- 12 March 2023 Established fact #### Real Madrid decides to join the proceedings as a party Institutional Real Madrid's board of directors announced its intention to join the proceedings, expressing its "deep concern". Its participation as a private prosecutor (acusación particular) was accepted in May 2023. Sources (2) [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14

- [Court accepts Real Madrid as private prosecutor in Barcelona referee payment case](https://www.catalannews.com/sports/item/court-accepts-real-madrid-as-private-prosecutor-in-barcelona-referee-payment-case) · Catalan News (ACN) · 2023-05-26
- 15 March 2023 Court decision #### Barcelona Investigating Court No. 1 admits the complaint Court proceedings Barcelona Investigating Court No. 1 (Juzgado de Instrucción n.º 1) admitted the Public Prosecutor's Office's complaint as well as that of Xavier Estrada, accepted LaLiga as a party and assigned the criminal police investigation (policía judicial) to the Guardia Civil. Sources (2) [Admitida a trámite la denuncia de la Fiscalía contra el Barça por el 'caso Negreira'](https://www.publico.es/politica/admitida-tramite-denuncia-fiscalia-barca-caso-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-03-15

- [Tribunal acepta investigación sobre caso de corrupción del Barça](https://espndeportes.espn.com/soccer/espana/story/_/id/11760878/barcelona-tribunal-espanol-acepta-investigacion-caso-corrupcion) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-03-15
- 23 March 2023 Established fact #### UEFA appoints inspectors Investigation UEFA appointed Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors to investigate a possible breach of its legal framework by FC Barcelona in the "caso Negreira". Sources (2) [UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors appointed](https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/027f-179a034fab97-d943763bdcba-1000/) · UEFA (communiqué officiel) · 2023-03-23

- [UEFA abre investigación al Barcelona por el caso Negreira](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/11797562/uefa-investigacion-barcelona-caso-negreira) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-03-23
- April 2023 precision: month Established fact #### The UEFA president speaks out Statement In an interview with a Slovenian daily newspaper, Aleksander Čeferin described the case as one of the most serious he had seen and stressed that, at UEFA level, the facts are not time-barred. Sources (2) [Alexander Ceferin, presidente de la UEFA, 'amenaza' al Barça](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/11847319/alexander-ceferin-barcelona-barca-negreira-amenaza) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-04-03

- [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14
- 17 April 2023 Established fact #### Joan Laporta's press conference Statement President Joan Laporta stated that the club had never sought to alter the competition and presented more than 600 reports and CDs intended to document the services provided. Sources (1) [Un año del 'caso Negreira', que manchó la imagen del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13234538/barcelona-un-ano-caso-negreira-que-mancho-la-imagen-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-02-14
- 2 June 2023 Court decision #### Negreira's son placed under investigation Court proceedings The investigating judge named Javier Enríquez Romero, Negreira's son, as a person under investigation (investigado) and extended the investigation to money laundering, with the proceedings declared secret (secreto de sumario). Sources (2) [La jueza imputa al hijo de Negreira y amplía la causa al delito de blanqueo de capitales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/jueza-imputa-hijo-negreira-amplia-causa-delito-blanqueo-capitales_1_10262709.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-06-02

- [La jueza imputa al hijo de Negreira en el caso que investiga los pagos del Barça](https://www.publico.es/politica/jueza-imputa-hijo-negreira-caso-investiga-pagos-barca.html) · Público · 2023-06-02
- 27 July 2023 Established fact #### Barça provisionally admitted to UEFA competitions Sporting UEFA provisionally admitted FC Barcelona to the 2023-2024 European competitions and reserved a future decision on its admission or exclusion; the admissibility proceedings are suspended but may be reopened. Sources (2) [UEFA admite provisionalmente la participación del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/champions-league/nota/_/id/12362192/barcelona-uefa-admite-provisionalmente-la-participacion-esta-temporada) · ESPN Deportes · 2023-07-27

- [UEFA receives Real Madrid dossier on Barcelona-Negreira case](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50077749/uefa-real-madrid-dossier-barcelona-referee-negreira-case) · ESPN · 2026-10-01
- 28 September 2023 Court decision #### Judge Aguirre adds bribery of a public official (cohecho) Court proceedings Judge Joaquín Aguirre attributed the offence of bribery (cohecho) to FC Barcelona and the other persons under investigation, considering that Negreira performed public functions at the CTA. The Public Prosecutor's Office opposes this legal classification. Sources (2) [El juez del caso Negreira imputa al Barça por cohecho](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/juez-caso-negreira-imputa-barca-cohecho_1_10551737.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-09-28

- [El juez imputa al Barça, a Bartomeu y a Rosell por cohecho en el 'caso Negreira'](https://www.publico.es/politica/juez-imputa-barca-bartomeu-rosell-cohecho-caso-negreira.html) · Público · 2023-09-28
- 18 October 2023 Court decision #### Joan Laporta placed under investigation Court proceedings Judge Aguirre named Joan Laporta as a person under investigation for bribery (cohecho) in respect of payments made during his first term (2003-2010), considering that the limitation period had not expired. The Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, which had left him out of its complaint, subsequently requested that the case against him be dismissed. Sources (2) [El juez imputa a Laporta en el caso Negreira tras afirmar hace diez días que sus delitos estaban prescritos](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/juez-imputa-laporta-caso-negreira-afirmar-diez-dias-delitos-estaban-prescritos_1_10607287.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-10-18

- [La Fiscalía discrepa del juez y pide archivar el caso Negreira para Laporta](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/fiscalia-discrepa-juez-pide-archivar-caso-negreira-laporta_1_10665431.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-11-07

### 2024

- 25 January 2024 Court decision #### Negreira found fit to appear Court proceedings On the basis of a forensic medical assessment, the judge rejected the incapacity claimed by Negreira's defence (cognitive disorders) and summoned him as a person under investigation. Sources (2) [El juez cita como imputado a Negreira tras descartar que esté incapacitado para declarar](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/juez-cita-imputado-negreira-descartar-incapacitado-declarar_1_10865157.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-01-25

- [Juez citó a declarar a Negreira por pagos que recibió del Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13144390/barcelona-juez-cito-declarar-a-negreira-por-pagos-que-recibio) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-01-25
- 18 March 2024 Court decision #### RFEF admitted as a party Institutional The Barcelona Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial) ordered that the RFEF be admitted as a private prosecutor (acusación particular) in the proceedings; the federation had announced in March 2023 that it wished to join them. Sources (2) [La Audiencia de Barcelona ordena admitir a la RFEF como acusación particular del 'caso Negreira' (EFE)](https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2024/03/18/la-audiencia-de-barcelona-ordena-admitir-a-la-rfef-como-acusacion-particular-del-caso-negreira/) · Infobae / EFE · 2024-03-18

- [La Audiencia admite a la RFEF como acusación particular en el 'caso Negreira'](https://www.publico.es/deportes/audiencia-admite-rfef-acusacion-particular-caso-negreira.html) · Público · 2024-03-18
- 19 March 2024 Established fact #### Negreira refuses to make a statement Court proceedings Appearing as a person under investigation before the judge of Investigating Court No. 1, Negreira exercised his right not to make a statement; the hearing lasted a few minutes. Sources (2) [Negreira rechaza declarar al juez por los pagos millonarios que recibió del Barça](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/negreira-rechaza-declarar-juez-pagos-millonarios-recibio-barca_1_11225037.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-03-19

- [Negreira se niega a declarar ante juez por supuestos pagos al Barcelona](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13397679/barcelona-negreira-niega-declarar-juez-supuestos-pagos-laliga) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-03-19
- 16 May 2024 Court decision #### The Audiencia rules out the money-laundering line Court proceedings Section 21 of the Barcelona Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial) upheld the appeals by the club, Negreira and his son and annulled the money-laundering line of investigation, owing to the lack of concrete evidence on where the funds went. Sources (1) [La Audiencia de Barcelona empieza a desinflar el caso Negreira al descartar el delito de blanqueo](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/audiencia-barcelona-empieza-desinflar-caso-negreira-descartar-delito-blanqueo_1_11370937.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-05-16
- 24 May 2024 Court decision #### The Audiencia annuls the cohecho imputation Court proceedings The Barcelona Provincial Court (Section 21), in line with the Public Prosecutor's Office and the defence, held that Negreira cannot be considered a public official, since sports federations are private entities; the offence of bribery (cohecho) was therefore ruled out. Sources (2) [La Audiencia de Barcelona corrige al juez Aguirre y descarta el soborno del Barça en el caso Negreira](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/audiencia-barcelona-corrige-juez-aguirre-descarta-soborno-caso-negreira_1_11393270.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-05-24

- [La Audiencia da la razón al Barça y anula su imputación por cohecho al caso Negreira](https://es.ara.cat/deportes/audiencia-da-razon-barca-anula-imputacion-cohecho-caso-negreira_25_5039225.html) · Ara · 2024-05-24
- 31 May 2024 Court decision #### Laporta removed from the case Court proceedings The Barcelona Audiencia ends the proceedings against Joan Laporta: payments made during his first term (2003-2010) are held to have been time-barred since 2015 for unfair administration (administración desleal), document forgery and sports corruption. Sources (2) [La Audiencia exculpa a Laporta del "caso Negreira"](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/13729210/barcelona-audiencia-exculpa-a-joan-laporta-del-caso-negreira) · ESPN Deportes · 2024-05-31

- [La Audiencia de Barcelona desinfla el caso Negreira y exculpa a Laporta](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/audiencia-barcelona-desinfla-caso-negreira-exculpa-laporta_1_11412636.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-05-31
- 19 June 2024 Court decision #### Rosell and Bartomeu summoned as persons under investigation Court proceedings Judge Aguirre summoned former presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep Maria Bartomeu as persons under investigation (investigados). Sources (1) [El juez acelera el caso Negreira y cita como investigados a dos expresidentes del Barça](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/juez-acelera-caso-negreira-cita-investigados-expresidentes-barca_1_11462297.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-06-19
- August 2024 precision: month Allegation #### Guardia Civil report and Negreira's wife placed under investigation Investigation According to a Guardia Civil report, the invoiced services are not supported by any documentary evidence beyond the invoices (an assessment by the investigators, disputed by the club). On 28 August 2024, the judge named Negreira's wife as a person under investigation for money laundering after the discovery of approximately €2.98 million in deposits deemed unjustified in her accounts (1992-2023). Sources (2) [La Guardia Civil concluye que el Barça pagó a Negreira por informes fantasma](https://es.ara.cat/deportes/fc-barcelona/guardia-civil-concluye-barca-pago-negreira-informes-fantasma_25_5108738.html) · Ara · 2024-08-05

- [El juez imputa a la mujer de Negreira por blanqueo tras descubrir tres millones en sus cuentas](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/juez-imputa-mujer-negreira-blanqueo-descubrir-tres-millones-cuentas_1_11614643.html) · elDiario.es · 2024-08-28
- 6 December 2024 Allegation #### Guardia Civil puts the payments at €8.4 million Investigation According to a Guardia Civil report submitted to the judge, the total transfers from the club to companies linked to Negreira between 2001 and 2018 would amount to €8.4 million (135 transfers), compared with €7.3 million in the Public Prosecutor's Office's complaint. Sources (1) [La Guardia Civil eleva a 8,4 millones los pagos que realizó el Barça a Negreira](https://theobjective.com/espana/tribunales/2024-12-06/guardia-civil-millones-barca-negreira/) · The Objective · 2024-12-06

### 2025

- 26 February 2025 Court decision #### New judge and extension of the investigation phase Court proceedings Following Judge Aguirre's retirement, Judge Alejandra Gil (Investigating Court No. 1) took over the case and extended the investigation phase (instrucción) by six months. Sources (1) [La nueva jueza del caso Negreira cita como imputados a Bartomeu y a Rosell el 17 y el 30 de junio](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/nueva-jueza-caso-negreira-cita-imputados-bartomeu-rosell-17-30-junio_1_12126985.html) · elDiario.es · 2025-03-12
- 16 June 2025 Court decision #### The Audiencia upholds the extension Court proceedings The Barcelona Provincial Court (Audiencia Provincial) dismissed the appeals by the club, Rosell, Bartomeu, Grau, Soler and Xavier Estrada against the extension, as the statements of the persons under investigation had not yet been taken. Sources (1) [La Audiencia de Barcelona desestima los recursos contra la prórroga de la instrucción del 'caso Negreira'](https://www.infobae.com/espana/2025/06/16/la-audiencia-de-barcelona-desestima-los-recursos-contra-la-prorroga-de-la-instruccion-del-caso-negreira/) · Infobae · 2025-06-16
- 18 September 2025 Established fact #### Statements by Rosell and Bartomeu Court proceedings Heard as persons under investigation, Sandro Rosell attributed the club's success to its squad and described the payments as consultancy; Josep Maria Bartomeu said they were inherited from previous administrations and were stopped for budgetary reasons. Both denied seeking any refereeing favours. Sources (1) [Sandro Rosell alega ante la jueza que el Barça ganaba por Messi y no por pagar a Negreira](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/sandro-rosell-alega-jueza-barca-ganaba-messi-no-pagar-negreira_1_12612994.html) · elDiario.es · 2025-09-18
- 28 October 2025 Court decision #### The club summoned as a legal entity under investigation Court proceedings The judge summoned FC Barcelona as a legal entity under investigation for a continuing offence of business corruption, requested the original contracts with Dasnil 95 and Nilsad (2001-2014) and called as witnesses, among others, Joan Gaspart, Joan Laporta, Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde. Sources (2) [La juez cita al FC Barcelona como investigado en el 'caso Negreira'](https://theobjective.com/espana/tribunales/2025-10-28/juez-cita-barcelona-investigado-caso-negreira/) · The Objective · 2025-10-28

- [La jueza del 'caso Negreira' llama a declarar a Gaspart y al Barça, representado por su vicepresidenta Elena Fort](https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/futbol/20251028/jueza-caso-negreira-llama-declarar-gaspart-barca-representado-vicepresidenta-elena-fort/1003743988637_0.html) · El Español · 2025-10-28
- 12 December 2025 Established fact #### Testimony of Laporta, Luis Enrique and Valverde Court proceedings Heard as a witness, Joan Laporta described the payments as inherited and justified by the usefulness of the reports, denied any refereeing favours and said the club had handed over 629 reports. Former coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde said they had not seen or used these reports. Sources (2) [Laporta justifica pagos por informes de los Negreira y niega favores](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/16075234/barcelona-laporta-justifica-pagos-informes-caso-negreira-niega-favores) · ESPN Deportes · 2025-12-12

- [Laporta dice a la jueza del caso Negreira que el Barça "es un ejemplo en el mundo" y niega favores arbitrales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/laporta-dice-jueza-caso-negreira-barca-ejemplo-mundo-niega-favores-arbitrarles_1_12840900.html) · elDiario.es · 2025-12-12
- 16 December 2025 Established fact #### Referees point out that none of them is being prosecuted Statement In response to remarks by the Real Madrid president, the referees' association AESAF pointed out that no referee is under investigation or the subject of an inquiry in the case. No reliable source consulted reports any referee being prosecuted as of 2 October 2026. Sources (2) [Real Madrid: La respuesta de los árbitros a Florentino Pérez por el caso Negreira](https://espndeportes.espn.com/futbol/espana/nota/_/id/16089674/real-madrid-respuesta-arbitros-florentino-perez-caso-negreira) · ESPN Deportes · 2025-12-16

- [La Fiscalía acusa al Barça de sobornar a Negreira para recibir favores arbitrales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/fiscalia-denuncia-barca-expresidentes-rosell-bartomeu-caso-negreira_1_10022759.html) · elDiario.es · 2023-03-10

### 2026

- 6 February 2026 Established fact #### Testimony of Joan Gaspart Court proceedings Former president Joan Gaspart (2000-2003), heard as a witness, stated that the club had committed no illegality and that major clubs commonly use observers' reports. Sources (1) [Joan Gaspart niega que los pagos a Negreira buscaran favores arbitrales](https://www.eldiario.es/catalunya/joan-gaspart-niega-pagos-negreira-buscaran-favores-arbitrales-barca-cometido-ilegalidad_1_12969384.html) · elDiario.es · 2026-02-06
- 19 February 2026 Established fact #### Javier Tebas: "Barça did not buy referees" Statement In a press interview, the LaLiga president said he believed the club had not paid referees, while maintaining that LaLiga remains a party to the proceedings and that the conduct would have warranted a sporting sanction had it not been time-barred. Sources (1) [Javier Tebas defiende al Barça tras sus hostilidades iniciales con el 'caso Negreira'](https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/culemania/palco/20260219/javier-tebas-defiende-barca-hostilidades-iniciales-negreira/1003742734452_0.html) · Crónica Global (El Español) · 2026-02-19
- 24 March 2026 Established fact #### New forensic medical examination of Negreira Court proceedings At the request of his defence, Negreira, aged 80, was examined again by the Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia to assess the progression of his cognitive disorders. Sources (1) [Negreira, explorado de nuevo por un forense para valorar si sufre demencia](https://theobjective.com/espana/tribunales/2026-03-24/negreira-explorado-por-forense-valorar-demencia/) · The Objective · 2026-03-24
- 10 April 2026 Established fact #### The club heard as a legal entity Court proceedings Represented by its treasurer Alfons Castro, FC Barcelona told the judge that it complies with its obligations and has strengthened its internal controls since 2010. First-team delegate Carles Naval, heard as a witness, said he had received and kept the reports since 2014 without knowing whether they were used. Sources (2) [El Barça, ante la jueza que lo investiga por el caso Negreira: "El club cumple con todo" (EFE)](https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2026/04/10/el-barca-ante-la-jueza-que-lo-investiga-por-el-caso-negreira-el-club-cumple-con-todo/) · Infobae / EFE · 2026-04-10

- [Las claves del caso Negreira](https://www.infobae.com/espana/deportes/2026/04/13/las-claves-del-caso-negreira-va-a-durar-como-minimo-5-o-6-anos-mas-pero-el-barca-no-puede-estar-seguro-de-que-no-le-vayan-a-sancionar/) · Infobae · 2026-04-13
- May 2026 precision: month Ongoing #### Expert report: Negreira unfit to follow the proceedings Court proceedings A report by the Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia concluded that Negreira no longer has the cognitive capacity to understand the proceedings (major neurocognitive disorder). As of the date of the sources consulted, the judge had not ruled; any removal from the proceedings would concern him alone and not the other persons under investigation. Sources (2) [La demencia de Negreira no detiene la causa penal, que seguirá contra el resto de investigados](https://iusport.com/art/148028/la-demencia-de-negreira-no-detiene-la-causa-penal-que-seguira-contra-el-resto-de-investigados) · Iusport · 2026-05-21

- [El caso Negreira y cómo el Alzheimer impide que se siente en el banquillo](https://www.infobae.com/espana/deportes/2026/05/27/el-caso-negreira-y-como-el-alzheimer-impide-que-se-siente-en-el-banquillo-segun-un-abogado-en-derecho-deportivo-es-un-freno-de-mano-absoluto-en-la-parte-penal/) · Infobae · 2026-05-27
- 17 June 2026 Court decision #### Last two witnesses summoned for November Court proceedings Judge Alejandra Gil Lima summoned as witnesses, for 13 November 2026, Gerard López, former Barça B coach, who had stated publicly in February 2026 that he had received and used the reports, and the delegate Antonio Alonso. Sources (2) [La juez del 'caso Negreira' cita a declarar a Gerard López por su etapa al frente del Barça B](https://theobjective.com/espana/tribunales/2026-06-17/juez-caso-negreira-cita-gerard-lopez-barca-b/) · The Objective · 2026-06-17

- [La jueza rechaza prorrogar el caso Negreira, aunque no cierra aún la instrucción (EFE)](https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2026/09/01/la-jueza-rechaza-prorrogar-el-caso-negreira-aunque-no-cierra-aun-la-instruccion/) · Infobae / EFE · 2026-09-01
- 14 July 2026 Established fact #### Real Madrid requests a further extension Court proceedings Real Madrid requested six more months of investigation (instrucción); the Public Prosecutor's Office supports the request. Sources (2) [El Real Madrid pide al juzgado prorrogar seis meses más el 'caso Negreira' (EFE)](https://www.infobae.com/america/agencias/2026/07/14/el-real-madrid-pide-al-juzgado-prorrogar-seis-meses-mas-el-caso-negreira/) · Infobae / EFE · 2026-07-14

- [La Justicia rechaza prorrogar el 'caso Negreira' pese al apoyo de la Fiscalía al Real Madrid](https://theobjective.com/espana/tribunales/2026-09-01/juzgado-rechaza-prorrogar-caso-negreira-real-madrid-fiscalia/) · The Objective · 2026-09-01
- 1 September 2026 Court decision #### The judge refuses to extend the investigation phase Court proceedings The judge rejected the extension (decision of August 2026, made public on 1 September) at the 1 September 2026 deadline, but the investigation phase is not closed until the two November witness statements have taken place. An appeal by Real Madrid concerning investigative measures (diligencias) remains pending before the Audiencia. Sources (2) [La jueza rechaza prorrogar el caso Negreira, aunque no cierra aún la instrucción (EFE)](https://www.infobae.com/espana/agencias/2026/09/01/la-jueza-rechaza-prorrogar-el-caso-negreira-aunque-no-cierra-aun-la-instruccion/) · Infobae / EFE · 2026-09-01

- [La Justicia rechaza prorrogar el 'caso Negreira' pese al apoyo de la Fiscalía al Real Madrid](https://theobjective.com/espana/tribunales/2026-09-01/juzgado-rechaza-prorrogar-caso-negreira-real-madrid-fiscalia/) · The Objective · 2026-09-01
- 1 October 2026 Ongoing #### UEFA receives a dossier from Real Madrid Investigation UEFA confirmed that it had received substantial documentation from Real Madrid, which will be examined by its inspectors in the investigation opened in 2023. FC Barcelona stressed that no new proceedings have been opened and that the UEFA proceedings depend on the outcome of the Spanish criminal case. Sources (2) [UEFA receives Real Madrid dossier on Barcelona-Negreira case](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/50077749/uefa-real-madrid-dossier-barcelona-referee-negreira-case) · ESPN · 2026-10-01

- [FC Barcelona statement](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/club/news/4585252/fc-barcelona-statement) · FC Barcelona (communiqué officiel) · 2026-10-01

Points being verified 9

Items researched but not confirmed by a reliable source: they are not shown as facts in the timeline.

- **Exact date of the last payment (July 2018)** — No reliable source consulted mentions July 2018; sources give 2018, linked to Negreira's departure from the CTA (May according to some, after June according to ESPN). Date kept at "year" precision.

- **Exact month in which Negreira took up his post at the CTA in 1994** — Only the year 1994 is documented (Fiscalía via elDiario.es, Catalan News).

- **Full breakdown of amounts by company over 2001-2018 (Dasnil 95, Nilsad, Soccercam)** — Only the 2016-2018 period is broken down by company in the accessible sources; 2001-2018 totals range from €7.3m (Fiscalía) to €8.4m (Guardia Civil).

- **Outcome of the tax audit (regularisation, tax penalties for the club or Negreira)** — No reliable source found on a final tax decision.

- **Judge's decision on Negreira's unfitness following the 2026 forensic medical report** — Search of sources from June to October 2026: no decision found.

- **Date of any trial, opening of the trial phase (apertura de juicio oral) or general dismissal of the case** — No reliable source; an estimate of a verdict at the end of 2027 comes from a site that was not used (africasoccer.com).

- **Current procedural status of Negreira's wife (money laundering) and of former executives Grau and Soler** — They are listed as under investigation in 2025 (elDiario.es, 12 March 2025); no 2026 source specifies their status.

- **Complaint filed with FIFA ("Gravissimum") on 28 September 2026** — Single source (The Objective); author and admissibility not verified.

- **RFEF statement on joining the proceedings as a party (16 March 2023)** — rfef.es page inaccessible (403); only the admission by the Audiencia (18 March 2024) is sourced.

Where the sources differ 8

Points on which the sources disagree; the timeline keeps the best-supported version.

- Total amount: €7.3m (Fiscalía complaint), ~€7.5m (several media outlets), €8.4m (Guardia Civil report, December 2024); ESPN (2023) also mentions ~€6.65m excluding taxes.

- SER revelation: ~€1.4m to Dasnil 95 (2016-2018) according to Infobae/Inside World Football; ESPN (2024) refers to €2.1m for the same period (probably including other companies).

- End of payments: May 2018 (departure from the CTA) according to some sources, after June 2018 according to ESPN; July 2018 not confirmed.

- Status of Joan Gaspart: witness according to elDiario.es and El Español, "investigado" according to Soccerway (not used).

- Club's statement before the judge: scheduled for 27 January 2026 with vice-president Elena Fort, it took place on 10 April 2026 with treasurer Alfons Castro (EFE).

- Date of Laporta's testimony: 12 December 2025 according to ESPN and elDiario.es; The Objective (October 2025) announced a summons in February.

- 2026 forensic medical report: dated March 2026 by Infobae, made public around May 2026 (Iusport).

- UEFA: The Objective's headline refers to a "reactivation" of the case; UEFA (via ESPN) and FC Barcelona speak of an investigation that has been ongoing since 2023.

**Warning:** Factual chronology compiled from press sources and official statements. All persons named are entitled to the presumption of innocence; no conviction exists as of the date indicated.

## Statistics: before / during / after

Periods: before = 2000-01 (a single season), during = 2001-02 → 2017-18 (payments), after = 2018-19 → 2025-26. The study preset compares Barça and Real Madrid with a control group (Atlético Madrid, Valencia CF, Sevilla FC). Every other club also has its figures on its page, and the [comparison tool](https://elcolegiado.com/compare/) lets you choose your own control group.

## Points obtained − expected points per match

Based on the average pre-match odds (margin removed). Select a group to see its three periods.

**Points − expected points** Before each match, the bookmakers' odds give the probability of a win, a draw and a defeat. Expected points = 3 × P(win) + P(draw). A positive deviation means the club took more points than the market predicted. Because the team's strength is already built into the odds, a big club has no "automatic" positive deviation.
-

-
Compare with another club

During = seasons 2001-02 → 2017-18.

Period

During · 2001-18

Selection

FC Barcelona

Deviation per match

+0.035

Barça <div class="div-track" data-tip="FC Barcelona · During
Deviation: +0.035 pt/match
646 matches"> +0.035 Real Madrid CF <div class="div-track" data-tip="Real Madrid CF · During
Deviation: +0.071 pt/match
645 matches"> +0.071 Control group <div class="div-track" data-tip="Control group · During
Deviation: +0.054 pt/match
1,900 matches"> +0.054 −0.30 0 +0.30

Before 2000-01

−0.168

38 matches

During 2001-18

+0.035

646 matches

After 2018-26

+0.107

304 matches

Above the odds Below the odds [View page](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/barcelona/)

## Points and adjusted measures by period

Per match; strength-adjusted measures (positive = favourable to the club)

**Strength-adjusted measures** Each match is compared with Liga matches from the same season, at the same venue type (home/away) and between teams of comparable strength according to the odds. A positive value is favourable to the club.

| Group | Period | Matches | Pts − exp. | p | Penalties | Reds | Yellows | Fouls |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [FC Barcelona](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/barcelona/) | Before 2000-01 | 38 | −0.168 | 0.43 | −0.024 | −0.075 | +0.620 | — |
| [FC Barcelona](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/barcelona/) | During 2001-18 | 646 | +0.035 | 0.43 | +0.012 | +0.024 | +0.214 | +1.56 |
| [FC Barcelona](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/barcelona/) | After 2018-26 | 304 | +0.107 | 0.11 | +0.004 | +0.031 | +0.034 | +0.85 |
| [Real Madrid CF](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/real-madrid/) | Before 2000-01 | 38 | +0.251 | 0.23 | +0.019 | +0.182 | +0.553 | — |
| [Real Madrid CF](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/real-madrid/) | During 2001-18 | 645 | +0.071 | 0.12 | +0.020 | −0.038 | −0.080 | −0.66 |
| [Real Madrid CF](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/real-madrid/) | After 2018-26 | 304 | +0.138 | 0.05 | +0.036 | −0.013 | +0.249 | +1.74 |
| Control group | Before 2000-01 | 38 | −0.031 | 0.93 | +0.088 | +0.068 | −0.390 | — |
| Control group | During 2001-18 | 1,900 | +0.054 | 0.06 | −0.005 | −0.004 | −0.169 | −0.97 |
| Control group | After 2018-26 | 912 | +0.015 | 0.73 | −0.029 | −0.020 | −0.087 | −0.19 |
| [Atlético Madrid](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/atletico-madrid/) | During 2001-18 | 608 | +0.048 | 0.34 | +0.003 | −0.003 | −0.386 | −1.60 |
| [Atlético Madrid](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/atletico-madrid/) | After 2018-26 | 304 | +0.114 | 0.11 | −0.064 | −0.042 | −0.403 | −0.96 |
| [Valencia CF](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/valencia/) | Before 2000-01 | 38 | −0.031 | 0.92 | +0.088 | +0.068 | −0.390 | — |
| [Valencia CF](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/valencia/) | During 2001-18 | 646 | +0.053 | 0.28 | −0.042 | −0.020 | −0.269 | −0.89 |
| [Valencia CF](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/valencia/) | After 2018-26 | 304 | −0.043 | 0.56 | +0.031 | +0.015 | +0.464 | +1.22 |
| [Sevilla FC](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/sevilla/) | During 2001-18 | 646 | +0.060 | 0.21 | +0.023 | +0.013 | +0.134 | −0.41 |
| [Sevilla FC](https://elcolegiado.com/clubs/sevilla/) | After 2018-26 | 304 | −0.025 | 0.75 | −0.052 | −0.035 | −0.323 | −0.82 |

"Before": a single season of 38 matches, too few to draw conclusions. Hover over an adjusted value to see its confidence interval.

## FC Barcelona

2001-18 → 2018-26, per match

**Adjusted measures** Each match is compared with Liga matches from the same season, at the same venue type (home/away) and between teams of comparable strength according to the odds. A positive value is favourable to the club. Pts − exp. <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Pts − exp.: from +0.035 (2001-18) to +0.107 (2018-26)" data-tip="Pts − exp.
2001-18: +0.035 (646 matches)
2018-26: +0.107 (304 matches)"> +0.035 → **+0.107** Penalties <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Penalties: from +0.012 (2001-18) to +0.004 (2018-26)" data-tip="Penalties
2001-18: +0.012
2018-26: +0.004"> +0.012 → **+0.004** Reds <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Reds: from +0.024 (2001-18) to +0.031 (2018-26)" data-tip="Reds
2001-18: +0.024
2018-26: +0.031"> +0.024 → **+0.031** Yellows <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Yellows: from +0.214 (2001-18) to +0.034 (2018-26)" data-tip="Yellows
2001-18: +0.214
2018-26: +0.034"> +0.214 → **+0.034** 2001-18 2018-26 (lime: favourable, lavender: unfavourable)

## Real Madrid CF

2001-18 → 2018-26, per match

**Adjusted measures** Each match is compared with Liga matches from the same season, at the same venue type (home/away) and between teams of comparable strength according to the odds. A positive value is favourable to the club. Pts − exp. <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Pts − exp.: from +0.071 (2001-18) to +0.138 (2018-26)" data-tip="Pts − exp.
2001-18: +0.071 (645 matches)
2018-26: +0.138 (304 matches)"> +0.071 → **+0.138** Penalties <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Penalties: from +0.020 (2001-18) to +0.036 (2018-26)" data-tip="Penalties
2001-18: +0.020
2018-26: +0.036"> +0.020 → **+0.036** Reds <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Reds: from −0.038 (2001-18) to −0.013 (2018-26)" data-tip="Reds
2001-18: −0.038
2018-26: −0.013"> −0.038 → **−0.013** Yellows <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Yellows: from −0.080 (2001-18) to +0.249 (2018-26)" data-tip="Yellows
2001-18: −0.080
2018-26: +0.249"> −0.080 → **+0.249** 2001-18 2018-26 (lime: favourable, lavender: unfavourable)

## Control group

2001-18 → 2018-26, per match

**Adjusted measures** Each match is compared with Liga matches from the same season, at the same venue type (home/away) and between teams of comparable strength according to the odds. A positive value is favourable to the club. Pts − exp. <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Pts − exp.: from +0.054 (2001-18) to +0.015 (2018-26)" data-tip="Pts − exp.
2001-18: +0.054 (1900 matches)
2018-26: +0.015 (912 matches)"> +0.054 → **+0.015** Penalties <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Penalties: from −0.005 (2001-18) to −0.029 (2018-26)" data-tip="Penalties
2001-18: −0.005
2018-26: −0.029"> −0.005 → **−0.029** Reds <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Reds: from −0.004 (2001-18) to −0.020 (2018-26)" data-tip="Reds
2001-18: −0.004
2018-26: −0.020"> −0.004 → **−0.020** Yellows <div class="slope-line" role="img" aria-label="Yellows: from −0.169 (2001-18) to −0.087 (2018-26)" data-tip="Yellows
2001-18: −0.169
2018-26: −0.087"> −0.169 → **−0.087** 2001-18 2018-26 (lime: favourable, lavender: unfavourable)

## Differences-in-differences

(A during − A after) − (B during − B after). Positive: A's advantage fell more after 2018 than B's.

**Difference-in-differences** We measure the club's change between two periods, then subtract the change of a comparison group over the same periods. What remains is the change specific to the club.

| Comparison | Measure | Diff-in-diff | 95% CI | p | q | Reading |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Barça vs control group | Points − expected | −0.111 | [−0.256 ; 0.028] | 0.12 | 0.27 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs control group | Penalties (adjusted) | −0.016 | [−0.091 ; 0.066] | 0.69 | 0.73 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs control group | Reds (adjusted) | −0.023 | [−0.087 ; 0.039] | 0.49 | 0.63 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs control group | Yellows (adjusted) | +0.262 | [−0.033 ; 0.549] | 0.08 | 0.24 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs control group | Yellows, Zenodo series (adjusted) | +0.322 | [−0.068 ; 0.690] | 0.10 | 0.27 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs control group | Fouls (adjusted) | +1.50 | [0.271 ; 2.759] | 0.02 | 0.08 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs Real Madrid | Points − expected | −0.006 | [−0.215 ; 0.183] | 0.95 | 0.95 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs Real Madrid | Penalties (adjusted) | +0.024 | [−0.086 ; 0.128] | 0.65 | 0.73 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs Real Madrid | Reds (adjusted) | +0.019 | [−0.057 ; 0.091] | 0.62 | 0.73 | inconclusive |
| Barça vs Real Madrid | Yellows (adjusted) | +0.509 | [0.244 ; 0.776] | < 0.001 | < 0.001 | notable deviation (q < 0.05) |
| Barça vs Real Madrid | Yellows, Zenodo series (adjusted) | +0.495 | [0.126 ; 0.886] | 0.006 | 0.04 | notable deviation (q < 0.05) |
| Barça vs Real Madrid | Fouls (adjusted) | +3.11 | [1.528 ; 4.634] | < 0.001 | < 0.001 | notable deviation (q < 0.05) |
| Real Madrid vs control group | Points − expected | −0.105 | [−0.281 ; 0.071] | 0.23 | 0.37 | inconclusive |
| Real Madrid vs control group | Penalties (adjusted) | −0.040 | [−0.127 ; 0.055] | 0.37 | 0.55 | inconclusive |
| Real Madrid vs control group | Reds (adjusted) | −0.042 | [−0.111 ; 0.025] | 0.22 | 0.37 | inconclusive |
| Real Madrid vs control group | Yellows (adjusted) | −0.247 | [−0.582 ; 0.077] | 0.14 | 0.27 | inconclusive |
| Real Madrid vs control group | Yellows, Zenodo series (adjusted) | −0.173 | [−0.620 ; 0.239] | 0.43 | 0.60 | inconclusive |
| Real Madrid vs control group | Fouls (adjusted) | −1.62 | [−3.074 ; −0.099] | 0.04 | 0.14 | inconclusive |

Club-season block bootstrap; q = Benjamini-Hochberg correction over the 18 tests. Yellow cards and fouls also depend on playing style (possession, pressing), which the odds adjustment does not capture. VAR and the end of the payments coincide in 2018-19.

**Referee coverage: which seasons?**
- **Referee known** for at least 99% of matches in most seasons; less complete in 2006-07 (97.1%), 2008-09 (96.8%), 2010-11 (95.8%), 2011-12 (96.6%), 2012-13 (96.8%), 2013-14 (96.3%), 2024-25 (96.6%), 2025-26 (78.7%). "Teixeira Vitienes" matches not attributed to either brother count as unassigned.

- **Appointments** (referee × club frequency) and **important matches**: 2000-01 → 2024-25, seasons in which the referee is known for at least 90% of matches (2025-26 excluded).

- Measures **not involving the referee** (points vs odds, adjusted penalties, cards and fouls) cover all seasons for all clubs.

- VAR arrives in 2018-19, the same season the payments end.

## Referee × club: verdicts, appointments, important matches

## Summary of referee × club verdicts

All clubs, pairs with at least 5 matches (1,325 pairs)

**Verdict / q-value** With hundreds of comparisons, some look extreme by chance. The Benjamini-Hochberg correction accounts for this: a deviation is only called notable if q < 0.05. Otherwise: inconclusive. Inconclusive does not mean "no effect": with 11 matches, only a deviation of about ±1.57 points per match could have been detected.

| Measure | Tested | p < 0.05 | Favourable | Unfavourable | Inconclusive |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Points − expected | 1,325 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 1,325 |
| Penalty balance | 1,325 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 1,325 |
| Red-card balance | 1,325 | 46 | 0 | 0 | 1,325 |
| Yellow-card balance | 1,325 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 1,325 |
| Foul balance | 1,235 | 63 | 0 | 0 | 1,325 |

Without correction, about 5% of tests fall below p < 0.05 by pure chance: that is the order of magnitude observed. After correction, no combination remains notable.

## Appointment frequency

A club's matches assigned to a referee, observed vs expected

**Appointments** Expected number = the referee's share of matches each season (among the matches they can take: never a club from their own region) × the club's matches.

0 notable out of 2,094 tested

Poisson test per referee × club combination, Benjamini-Hochberg correction. Details are on each pair page and in the "Referee × club" panel of referee pages.

## Important matches

Are high-stakes matches assigned to certain referees more often? 2000-01 → 2025-26

**Important matches** Important match: opponent in the season's final top 4, or the Clásico (Barça – Real Madrid). The share of important matches refereed by this referee is compared with the share refereed by other referees for the same club. q = Benjamini-Hochberg correction across all combinations.

Combinations tested

1,297

p < 0.05 before correction

50

q < 0.05 after correction

0

FC Barcelona: 53 referees (sorted by number of matches)

| Referee | Matches | Of which important | Share (this referee) | Share (other referees) | p | q | Reading |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Undiano Mallenco](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/undiano-mallenco/) | 50 | 17 | 34% | 15% | 0.001 | 0.39 | inconclusive |
| [Mateu Lahoz](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/mateu-lahoz/) | 41 | 10 | 24% | 16% | 0.19 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Del Cerro Grande](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/cerro-grande/) | 36 | 2 | 6% | 17% | 0.10 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [David Fernández Borbalán](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/fernandez-borbalan/) | 35 | 5 | 14% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Gil Manzano](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gil-manzano/) | 34 | 9 | 27% | 16% | 0.10 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Hernández Hernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/hernandez-hernandez/) | 31 | 8 | 26% | 16% | 0.14 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Pérez Lasa](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/perez-lasa/) | 31 | 6 | 19% | 16% | 0.62 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Martínez Munuera](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/martinez-munuera/) | 28 | 4 | 14% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Sánchez Martínez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/sanchez-martinez/) | 27 | 10 | 37% | 16% | 0.006 | 0.59 | inconclusive |
| [De Burgos Bengoetxea](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/burgos-bengoetxea/) | 26 | 3 | 12% | 16% | 0.79 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [César Muñiz Fernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/muniz-fernandez/) | 25 | 7 | 28% | 16% | 0.10 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Fernando Teixeira Vitienes](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/teixeira-vitienes-fernando/) | 25 | 2 | 8% | 16% | 0.41 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Iturralde González](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/iturralde-gonzalez/) | 25 | 5 | 20% | 16% | 0.58 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Carlos Clos Gómez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/clos-gomez/) | 23 | 3 | 13% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Carlos Velasco Carballo](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/velasco-carballo/) | 22 | 2 | 9% | 16% | 0.56 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Manuel Mejuto González](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/mejuto-gonzalez/) | 20 | 6 | 30% | 16% | 0.12 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [González González](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gonzalez-gonzalez/) | 20 | 4 | 20% | 16% | 0.55 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Javier Turienzo Álvarez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/turienzo-alvarez/) | 20 | 3 | 15% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Munuera Montero](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/munuera-montero/) | 20 | 3 | 15% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Iglesias Villanueva](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/iglesias-villanueva/) | 19 | 1 | 5% | 16% | 0.34 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Ramírez Domínguez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/ramirez-dominguez/) | 19 | 3 | 16% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alfonso Pérez Burrull](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/perez-burrull/) | 17 | 9 | 53% | 15% | < 0.001 | 0.32 | inconclusive |
| [Luis Medina Cantalejo](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/medina-cantalejo/) | 17 | 4 | 24% | 16% | 0.50 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Delgado Ferreiro](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/delgado-ferreiro/) | 16 | 3 | 19% | 16% | 0.73 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Bernardino González Vázquez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gonzalez-vazquez/) | 16 | 2 | 13% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Cuadra Fernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/cuadra-fernandez/) | 15 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.15 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Carlos Megía Dávila](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/megia-davila/) | 15 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.15 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Jaime Latre](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/jaime-latre/) | 14 | 1 | 7% | 16% | 0.71 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [González Fuertes](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gonzalez-fuertes/) | 14 | 1 | 7% | 16% | 0.71 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Melero López](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/melero-lopez/) | 13 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.24 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Arturo Daudén Ibáñez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/dauden-ibanez/) | 13 | 1 | 8% | 16% | 0.70 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Antonio Rubinos Pérez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/rubinos-perez/) | 13 | 1 | 8% | 16% | 0.70 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Soto Grado](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/soto-grado/) | 13 | 2 | 15% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Ayza Gámez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/ayza-gamez/) | 12 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.23 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Julián Rodríguez Santiago](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/rodriguez-santiago/) | 12 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.23 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Víctor Esquinas Torres](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/esquinas-torres/) | 11 | 2 | 18% | 16% | 0.69 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [José Losantos Omar](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/losantos-omar/) | 11 | 1 | 9% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Evaristo Puentes Leira](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/puentes-leira/) | 11 | 1 | 9% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [José Paradas Romero](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/paradas-romero/) | 9 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.37 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Pérez Montero](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/perez-montero/) | 9 | 1 | 11% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alberola Rojas](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/alberola-rojas/) | 9 | 1 | 11% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Muñiz Ruiz](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/muniz-ruiz/) | 8 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.37 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Ortiz Arias](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/ortiz-arias/) | 8 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.37 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Bikandi Garrido](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/vicandi-garrido/) | 7 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.61 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Vicente Lizondo Cortés](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/lizondo-cortes/) | 7 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.61 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Carmona Méndez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/carmona-mendez/) | 7 | 1 | 14% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Antonio López Nieto](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/lopez-nieto/) | 6 | 2 | 33% | 16% | 0.25 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alfonso Pino Zamorano](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/pino-zamorano/) | 6 | 2 | 33% | 16% | 0.25 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/teixeira-vitienes-jose-antonio/) | 6 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.60 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Figueroa Vázquez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/figueroa-vazquez/) | 6 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.60 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Diaz de Mera](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/diaz-de-mera-escuderos/) | 5 | 1 | 20% | 16% | 0.59 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Juan Luis Pulido Santana](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/pulido-santana/) | 5 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Cordero Vega](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/cordero-vega/) | 5 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |

Real Madrid CF: 48 referees (sorted by number of matches)

| Referee | Matches | Of which important | Share (this referee) | Share (other referees) | p | q | Reading |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Undiano Mallenco](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/undiano-mallenco/) | 52 | 15 | 29% | 15% | 0.02 | 0.90 | inconclusive |
| [Gil Manzano](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gil-manzano/) | 47 | 5 | 11% | 16% | 0.41 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Mateu Lahoz](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/mateu-lahoz/) | 40 | 7 | 18% | 16% | 0.83 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [David Fernández Borbalán](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/fernandez-borbalan/) | 37 | 8 | 22% | 16% | 0.36 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Martínez Munuera](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/martinez-munuera/) | 36 | 8 | 22% | 16% | 0.35 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Hernández Hernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/hernandez-hernandez/) | 35 | 7 | 20% | 16% | 0.49 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Sánchez Martínez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/sanchez-martinez/) | 32 | 9 | 28% | 16% | 0.08 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [César Muñiz Fernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/muniz-fernandez/) | 31 | 5 | 16% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Iturralde González](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/iturralde-gonzalez/) | 29 | 5 | 17% | 16% | 0.80 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Carlos Clos Gómez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/clos-gomez/) | 28 | 7 | 25% | 16% | 0.19 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alfonso Pérez Burrull](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/perez-burrull/) | 27 | 9 | 33% | 16% | 0.03 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [González González](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gonzalez-gonzalez/) | 27 | 3 | 11% | 16% | 0.60 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Pérez Lasa](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/perez-lasa/) | 27 | 5 | 19% | 16% | 0.79 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Fernando Teixeira Vitienes](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/teixeira-vitienes-fernando/) | 26 | 2 | 8% | 16% | 0.41 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Ramírez Domínguez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/ramirez-dominguez/) | 22 | 1 | 5% | 16% | 0.23 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Manuel Mejuto González](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/mejuto-gonzalez/) | 22 | 5 | 23% | 16% | 0.38 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [De Burgos Bengoetxea](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/burgos-bengoetxea/) | 20 | 2 | 10% | 16% | 0.76 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Soto Grado](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/soto-grado/) | 20 | 3 | 15% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Iglesias Villanueva](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/iglesias-villanueva/) | 19 | 1 | 5% | 16% | 0.34 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Javier Turienzo Álvarez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/turienzo-alvarez/) | 19 | 1 | 5% | 16% | 0.34 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Estrada Fernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/estrada-fernandez/) | 19 | 4 | 21% | 16% | 0.53 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Arturo Daudén Ibáñez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/dauden-ibanez/) | 19 | 2 | 11% | 16% | 0.75 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Luis Medina Cantalejo](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/medina-cantalejo/) | 17 | 5 | 29% | 16% | 0.17 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Cuadra Fernández](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/cuadra-fernandez/) | 17 | 1 | 6% | 16% | 0.50 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Melero López](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/melero-lopez/) | 16 | 1 | 6% | 16% | 0.49 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Munuera Montero](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/munuera-montero/) | 15 | 1 | 7% | 16% | 0.49 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alfonso Álvarez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/alvarez-izquierdo/) | 14 | 1 | 7% | 16% | 0.71 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Jaime Latre](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/jaime-latre/) | 14 | 1 | 7% | 16% | 0.71 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [González Fuertes](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gonzalez-fuertes/) | 13 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.24 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Julián Rodríguez Santiago](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/rodriguez-santiago/) | 13 | 2 | 15% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Delgado Ferreiro](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/delgado-ferreiro/) | 13 | 2 | 15% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Pérez Montero](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/perez-montero/) | 11 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.23 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Carmona Méndez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/carmona-mendez/) | 11 | 3 | 27% | 16% | 0.40 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alberola Rojas](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/alberola-rojas/) | 11 | 1 | 9% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Bernardino González Vázquez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/gonzalez-vazquez/) | 10 | 2 | 20% | 16% | 0.67 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Ayza Gámez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/ayza-gamez/) | 10 | 2 | 20% | 16% | 0.67 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Alfonso Pino Zamorano](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/pino-zamorano/) | 10 | 1 | 10% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [José Losantos Omar](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/losantos-omar/) | 10 | 1 | 10% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Diaz de Mera](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/diaz-de-mera-escuderos/) | 9 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.37 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Antonio López Nieto](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/lopez-nieto/) | 8 | 3 | 38% | 16% | 0.12 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Evaristo Puentes Leira](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/puentes-leira/) | 8 | 2 | 25% | 16% | 0.62 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [José Antonio Teixeira Vitienes](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/teixeira-vitienes-jose-antonio/) | 8 | 1 | 13% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Javier Moreno Delgado](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/moreno-delgado/) | 6 | 2 | 33% | 16% | 0.25 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Vicente Lizondo Cortés](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/lizondo-cortes/) | 6 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 0.60 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Mateo Busquets Ferrer](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/busquets-ferrer/) | 5 | 1 | 20% | 16% | 0.58 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [José Paradas Romero](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/paradas-romero/) | 5 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Figueroa Vázquez](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/figueroa-vazquez/) | 5 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |
| [Juan Ansuategui Roca](https://elcolegiado.com/referees/ansuategui-roca/) | 5 | 0 | 0% | 16% | 1.00 | 1.00 | inconclusive |

Important match: opponent in the season's final top 4 (recomputed standings: points, head-to-head, goal difference, goals scored), plus the Clásico for Barça and Real Madrid. Fisher's exact test per club × referee combination (at least 5 matches), Benjamini-Hochberg correction across all combinations, all clubs. Each referee's details are on their page.

### Why so many "inconclusive" results?

A referee × club pair has a median of 11 matches (244 pairs out of 1,325 have at least 20). Over so few matches, chance weighs heavily: the standard deviation of a club's points is about 1.18 points per match.

Detectable deviation (points per match, 80% power)

| Matches | Without correction | After correction |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10 | ±1.05 | ±1.65 |
| 25 | ±0.66 | ±1.04 |
| 50 | ±0.47 | ±0.74 |
| 100 | ±0.33 | ±0.52 |

Share of tests with p < 0.05 before correction (chance alone gives about 5%)

| Measure | p < 0.05 |
| --- | --- |
| Points − expected | 3.5% |
| Penalty balance | 2.9% |
| Red-card balance | 3.5% |
| Yellow-card balance | 4.7% |
| Foul balance | 5.1% |

So "inconclusive" does not mean "no effect": only large deviations could be detected pair by pair. The period-level analyses (before / during / after) pool hundreds of matches and are far more sensitive. [Details in the methodology →](https://elcolegiado.com/methodology/#puissance)

## Limitations

**Limitations** What these figures cannot tell us.
- The odds reflect what the market knew before the match: a bias known to and priced in by the bookmakers would be underestimated.

- Cards and fouls depend on playing style, which the odds adjustment does not capture.

- The end of the payments and the arrival of VAR coincide (2018-19); matches behind closed doors in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

- These tests deal with aggregate results. They say nothing about any specific decision in a match.

[Redo the calculation with your own control group →](https://elcolegiado.com/compare/?etudie=barcelona&p1=pendant&p2=apres) · [Methodology](https://elcolegiado.com/methodology/)

## Definitions

**Expected points**

Before each match, the bookmakers' odds give the probability of a win, a draw and a defeat. Expected points = 3 × P(win) + P(draw). A positive deviation means the club took more points than the market predicted. Because the team's strength is already built into the odds, a big club has no "automatic" positive deviation.

**q-value**

With hundreds of comparisons, some look extreme by chance. The Benjamini-Hochberg correction accounts for this: a deviation is only called notable if q < 0.05. Otherwise: inconclusive. Inconclusive does not mean "no effect": with 11 matches, only a deviation of about ±1.57 points per match could have been detected.

**Difference-in-differences**

We measure the club's change between two periods, then subtract the change of a comparison group over the same periods. What remains is the change specific to the club.

**Strength-adjusted measures**

Each match is compared with Liga matches from the same season, at the same venue type (home/away) and between teams of comparable strength according to the odds. A positive value is favourable to the club.

[Details in the methodology →](https://elcolegiado.com/methodology/)

## Cite this page

El Colegiado, "Negreira case: what refereeing data actually show", https://elcolegiado.com/studies/negreira-case/ (data updated on 3 October 2026).
