Hello everyone!
I come for a civilized exchange of information, ideas, and facts. That is the main reason I've been reading this forum for a few years. However, this seems like a good moment for signing up... some "tasty" news coming out.
I "joined" the cules in the 90s, when I fell in love with Cruyff's Dream Team. I like the style because usually is fun to watch and having a general gameplay idea seems to be a good approach to guide you in signings, etc. Nothing more, nothing less.
As I mentioned, I liked what happened in the pitch, but I always had the impression (well... more than that), that the presidents and leaders of the clubs were mostly there to have PERSONAL GAINS. I only doubt about Gaspar, mainly because he was a horrible president but he was a hooligan and he truly loved Barca.
About this Negreira affair, there are many things that don't "click me". Obviously I don't support the payments as, in best case scenario, are unethical (as many other "initiatives" the leaders had to get some money for themselves). I get the idea of "you don't need to buy all the referees, they just need to know that they will be punished/promotioned...". However, it that was true, many referees would have been harmed, and I find the chances of nobody coming to talk about it (it was supposed to be known for everyone) very limited. Why? You can say it is to keep the job, but... how many referees who are already retired should know about this? what is stopping them now? Pique might put his hands on fire for Barca, I don't, but I honestly doubt it. I also find a very stupid scheme to buy referees just paying to the company of the vice president of the referees (well, CTA is only a part of all the referees scheme but I'm not going to talk about it).
From my experience, from proved scandals and "weird smell situations", If I had to put money on something (again, I wouldn't). I would bet that Negreira (who has also demonstrated that is a ganster) was just another way to STEAL from the club and to get personal gains. It is the most plausible option because it happened before and it also explains why nobody from the leadership want to talk. To 'save' Barca, they would have to recognize that they were stealing and they are probably trying to find the way to avoid this (that could affect more them from a financial point of view). If this is true, they know that apart from the payments, prosecutors won't find anything else regarding the referees, so just denaying everything should work (Barca brand would be harm but If not proven guilty...).
I see that most of the people here don't even have any doubt, Barca is guilty and bought referees for 20 years in LaLiga, in Champions League (why not?) and I don't know, probably in basketball and handball. I think you should at least be open to other options, who are actually more plausible from my point of view.
We will see what happens, and as I mentioned, I'm open to anything, but that is my personal bet.