Barcelona have plenty to focus on as they continue their campaign both domestically and in Europe.
Hansi Flick’s side remain determined to compete for major honours after returning to the top level of European football.
Away from the pitch, however, the Catalan giants continue to deal with a long-running issue that has followed the club for several years.
The Negreira case centres around payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain’s Technical Committee of Referees.
The club has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained that the payments were for technical reports and refereeing advice.
UEFA previously became involved in the matter in 2023, when investigators were appointed to examine the case.
Now, the latest development has once again placed Barcelona’s relationship with European football’s governing body under the spotlight.
UEFA has confirmed that it has received a substantial dossier from Real Madrid relating to the ongoing Negreira investigation involving Barcelona.
The announcement led to reports suggesting UEFA had reopened or reactivated disciplinary proceedings against the Catalan club.
Barcelona, however, strongly disputes that interpretation. The club insists the proceedings were never closed and therefore cannot be described as being reopened.
Barcelona says UEFA has simply confirmed receipt of the documentation submitted by Real Madrid, which will now be assessed by the existing investigators.
The Catalans also insist they have not received any new requests from UEFA or been sent the complaint and dossier submitted by their Spanish rivals.
Real Madrid have previously called on UEFA to investigate the matter and determine whether sporting sanctions should be considered.
Their latest submission therefore adds another layer to a case that has already been examined by Spanish authorities.
Barcelona also pointed to its continued participation in UEFA competitions since the investigation began. The club says it has obtained its UEFA licences without objection and has continued cooperating with the investigators.
The Catalans issued the following statement on their website, “UEFA has not opened any new disciplinary proceedings against FC Barcelona.
“The proceedings began in 2023 with the appointment of two investigators, who have since carried out the actions they deemed necessary.
“The Club has always complied with all their requests. These proceedings have not been reopened because they were never closed.
“The UEFA statement confirms receipt of documentation submitted by Real Madrid and that investigators will assess it within the framework of the existing investigation.
“Therefore, it does not announce the opening, reopening, or reactivation of any case, nor does it contain any pronouncement on the substance or value of the submitted documentation.
“It is up to the investigators to determine what actions they deem appropriate regarding this documentation.
“As of today, they have not made any new requests to FC Barcelona nor have they forwarded Real Madrid’s complaint to the Club. When they do, the Club will respond appropriately, as it has done thus far.”
Barcelona also reiterated that the UEFA proceedings remain subject to the criminal proceedings taking place in Spain, while insisting that it will continue cooperating with the relevant authorities.
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