According to a recent revelation from AS, Real Madrid are not only involved in the ongoing investigation into Negreira, but are now seriously considering demanding significant financial compensation as the case continues to develop.
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In recent days, Real Madrid has intensified its participation in the investigation.
What is unfolding now represents a clear break from the recent period of superficial calm between the two rivals.
Historically, Real Madrid and Barcelona have always defined their relationship through confrontation rather than cooperation, and this episode seems to confirm a return to that reality.
What is the story?
Real Madrid believes that the consequences of the alleged payments to Negreira may have caused sporting and institutional damage that deserves compensation.
Their strategy includes claiming millions in damages from Barcelona, should liability be established.
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On the sporting side, any possible sanction would be governed by article 4.1 of the UEFA regulations, which governs integrity and fair competition.
Real Madrid is going hard against Barcelona. (Photo by Ángel Martínez/Getty Images)
Within European football, there is a growing feeling among some clubs that the response so far has been too passive, given the seriousness of what has already been revealed.
Why is that?
At the center of the case remains the same unanswered question: whether the payments made between 2001 and 2018 amounted to sports corruption or influence buying.
Although opinions remain divided, Real Madrid seems determined to fight for absolute clarity.
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That determination became unmistakable on the morning of December 24. Despite the festive moment, Real Madrid demanded access to audits, due diligence reports and invoices linked to Barcelona’s financial activity.
The request covers transactions between 2010 and 2021, as well as club budgets from 2010 to 2018 that include payments to all names related to the investigation.
In total, Real Madrid has requested 625 different documents in an effort to track the flow of money and identify its final destination.
As such, this step is considered just the beginning, with club sources suggesting that further legal and institutional action could be taken once the documentation is reviewed.