Xavi Hernandez has declined to opine on reports that Barcelona have been charged with bribery by the Spanish public prosecutor, which broke on Thursday morning.
The news comes in relation to the so-called Negreira case, after Barcelona made payments to the former Vice-President of the Referees Technical Committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, over a period of 17 years, to the tune of €7-8m.
Xavi was predictably asked about this in his pre-match press conference, but said he had nothing more to add on what he has previously said.
“I’m not going to answer that. You know my opinion already. You know what, next week, there will be another. And in 15 days, another. And, in a month. You already know my opinion. Take a look at the newspaper archive. You guys like that no? For me, there has never, never been the feeling that the referees have benefitted us.”
He was also asked if he had had time to reflect on whether it was moral for Barcelona to pay Enriquez Negreira so much money over that period of time, given his position.
“I do not make reflections of this type. I have very little time and I need it to see what happens to the team, what has happened to us in Mallorca, the strategy, Sevilla… I don’t reflect on these issues.”
"You know my opinion about this. There will be more news about the Negreira case next week, and the week after, and another one in a month and a half."
"I have never, ever, had the sensation that the referees were ruling in our favour. Never, ever."
Xavi on #CasoNegreira. pic.twitter.com/nXlfTxv0PU
— Football España (@footballespana_) September 28, 2023
In terms of the controversy surrounding Real Madrid TV, Xavi also ducked that question.
There is yet to be an institutional response to the alleged bribery charges brought against Barcelona. So far Barcelona President Joan Laporta has denied that Barcelona could have been involved in influencing referees, but they may have to defend that position in court.
“For me, there has never, never been the feeling that the referees have benefitted us.”
Almost 2 seasons worth of matches with 0 penalties called against AND a record amount for.
Yup, seems legit.