Gerard Pique defends Barcelona against accusations of corruption
‘I don’t think Barça bought the referees, I would put my hand on fire for that’: Gerard Piqué defends Barcelona against corruption accusations
- Gerard Piqué has defended Barcelona after corruption accusations
- Barcelona are accused of paying José María Enríquez Negreira £6.46 million
- Piqué insisted that Barcelona did not depend on the referees to win trophies
Gerard Piqué has defended Barcelona against accusations of corruption.
The defender who played for the club from 2003 to 2022 told Catalan radio RAC 1: “I don’t think Barca have bought the referees, I would put my hand in that.”
‘[If you are going to do that] you keep it off the books. There are easier ways to do it than go to the vice president of referees and pay him a salary. There is no logic in that.
Barcelona is accused of paying José María Enríquez Negreira 7.3 million euros (6.46 million British pounds) through two companies owned by him: DASNIL and NILSAT. The relationship began in 2001 and ended in 2018 when he cut ties with the then former vice president of the Referees Committee.
Barcelona’s original defense was that Negreira had provided technical reports on the referees to the club.
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué defended the club against corruption allegations
Barcelona are accused of paying former referee official José María Enríquez Negreira £6.46 million
Former Barcelona defender Piqué insisted that the Club does not depend on the referees
Asked about these reports, Piqué said: ‘I didn’t know anything about this. This is more for the coach and coaching staff. The players already know the referees, the coaches may come from outside and may need help’.
In defense of what he won at the club, he said: ‘Then you can revisit the leagues for cup matches. We were very superior, we did not depend on the referees.
Barcelona also received words of support from a former Real Madrid president. Ramón Calderón presided over Madrid from 2006 to 2009.
He told Cadena Ser: ‘The leagues were won by the players. I never had the feeling of being at a disadvantage. In addition, we won an incredible league in which Barça had taken us nine points ahead. And we won it in an incredible way. I think it is essential to respect the presumption of innocence.’
Piqué said that if Lionel Messi returns to the club it would be incredible for Barcelona
Former Barcelona captain Piqué also spoke about the chances of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona.
He said: ‘Only he knows his future. It was his dream to win the World Cup and now there is no doubt that he is the best in history, everyone is convinced.
He will decide his future according to what he feels. He could stay in Europe, but if he’s had enough he’ll go to MLS.”
Asked if the Paris Saint Germain striker could return to Barcelona, he replied: “On a sentimental level, it would be incredible for Barça supporters.” But it is his decision.
