Financial Fair Play Violations, the Negreira Case, and other Corruption on the Biggest Stage: The Integrity of Soccer is Threatened

[1]

Corruption under the Largest Microscope 

Corruption is becoming a common trend, even at the highest level in professional soccer. Juventus took a plea abatement in 2023 over charges of receiving illegal commissions from player transfers, along with other charges.[2] Manchester City, Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City all violated financial fair play rules.[3] A part of the Negreira case involves an accusation against FC Barcelona in 2023 for breaking the Union of European Football Association’s ("UEFA") regulations and standards.[4] The allegations involve Barcelona paying referees for their own benefit between 2001 and 2018.[5] Within these years, Barcelona allegedly paid 7.3 million euros to Negreira (a past referee’s company) while winning four Champions Leagues, eight La Liga titles, and six Copa del Rey ("Spanish tournament").[6] The Spanish court, the Court of Instruction No, 1, dismissed the bribery accusation against Barcelona’s part of the Negreira cases, but the overall larger cases are still ongoing.[7]

Was their success a coincidence? Is there any way to keep a closer watch on powerful and wealthy clubs to prevent cases like this in the future? Can these accusations ruin the integrity of the Sport? 

Protect the Players

The Negreira case is such a controversial and serious case that Real Madrid, Barcelona’s rival team in La Liga, entered the case as a damaged party. Real Madrid, who lost major games to Barcelona due to debatable and controversial calls, claimed they were “robbed” by the referees and Barcelona.[8] In response, Barcelona’s president Laporta responded to Madrid’s allegations claiming that, “Madrid was historically favored in refereeing decisions”.[9] If the court had not dismissed the case for lack of evidence, Barcelona’s legacy, as well as the players’ careers, could have been jeopardized.[10] Without a solution, similar cases will happen, and the sport’s integrity will be compromised. Is there a solution? 

Potential Solutions 

A solution that UEFA has implemented to combat referee corruption is the Video Assistant Referee ("VAR"). With VAR, there should be significantly fewer refereeing accusations, as all refereeing decisions are recorded on camera and displayed to the public.[11] This technology makes it much more difficult for referees to be biased or overlook any issues.[12] There will always be fans and coaches of opposing teams that complain about decisions, but VAR will prevent some possible future corruption.[13] Along with the Financial Fair Play regulations, set forth by UEFA to prevent clubs from spending more than they earn, additional regulations were introduced in 2022, known as the Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations 2022.[14]  These regulations are a set of seven rules that were created to ensure clubs are managing their money responsibly, and to prevent clubs from spending more than they have.[15] With these new regulations and VAR in place, there is hope of preventing future violations. 

Future Controversies 

How should soccer fans view the teams that are involved in or accused of corruption? FIFA and UEFA accused Manchester City of violating the Financial Fair Play rules from 2013 to 2018, but the club went on to win its first Champions League title in 2022/23.[16] They are still currently under investigation.[17] If found guilty, would that Champions League win lose all credibility? Their star player, Rodri, won the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Would that award be stripped? If found not guilty due to a lack of evidence, some suspicion may still linger. Barcelona’s success as a team, along with having six Ballon d’Or winners within the seventeen years of the accusations, still raises lingering questions and suspicion despite the court dismissing the charges. 

Integrity’s Crucial Role in Sport 

 Barcelona’s players’ legacies are safe as the charges were dismissed. The idea of players’ and clubs’ legacies being destroyed over a violation should be enough to deter clubs in the future. Paying referees and using money the team should not have to improve their team puts them at an advantage over other teams. If a violation is found, a team should be stripped of titles because their leadership bought them an advantage and cheated. If not, the integrity of the sport would be compromised, and watching games would not be as enjoyable for the fans. Hopefully, the new regulations and VAR will deter all current and future club leadership from destroying their clubs and players’ legacies.

Sara Brocious (guest writer) is a 1L from Voorhees, New Jersey. She attended Rutgers University New Brunswick for her undergraduate studies and majored in English and History while playing soccer. Sara graduated in 2023, then went to TCU for her last year of eligibility and got a Master's. She is interested in copyright/trademark areas of Intellectual Property Law, Corporate Law, and Sports Law.

References:

[1] Tim Roosjen. (March 25, 2020). Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/soccer-field-under-gray-sky-jLUSUUUbZeE.

[2] Phil Cartwright, Please Bargains by Ex-Juventus Executives Accepted, (22 Sept 2025) Former Juventus executives' plea bargains for suspended sentences accepted - BBC Sport.

[3] Keith Jenkins, How Does Financial Fair Play Work in Soccer? Rules to Know, (30 July 2024) How does financial fair play work in soccer? Rules to know - ESPN.

[4] Martina Alcheva, Barca Cleared of Major Change in Negreira Case: What it Means,  (25 January 2024)  Barca cleared of major charge in Negreira case: What it means.

[5] Id.

[6] Id.

[7] Id.

[8] Dermot Corrigan, Barcelona and the Negreira Case: What’s the Latest?, Barcelona and the Negreira Case: What’s the Latest?, Barcelona and the Negreira Case: What’s the Latest?, (16 Oct 2024) Barcelona and the Negreira case: What’s the latest? - The Athletic.

[9] Id.

[10] Phil Cartwright, Please Bargains by Ex-Juventus Executives Accepted, (22 Sept 2025) Former Juventus executives' plea bargains for suspended sentences accepted - BBC Sport.

[11] Osea, How VAR Is Changing Soccer Forever, (24 April 2025) How VAR Is Changing Soccer Forever - Football Lifestyle, Gear & Performance.

[12] Id.

[13] Id.

[14] Keith Jenkins, How Does Financial Fair Play Work in Soccer? Rules to Know, (30 July 2024) How does financial fair play work in soccer? Rules to know - ESPN.

[15] Id.

[16] Sammi Minion, Experts Reveal Reasons Why Man City’s 115 Charges Case is Taking so Long, (16 Sept 2025) Experts reveal reason why Man City’s 115 charges case is taking so long - JOE.co.uk.

[17] Id.