FC Barcelona has initiated legal proceedings against Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, filing a mandatory conciliation request. This action serves as a precursor to a criminal lawsuit for defamation, as outlined in Article 205 of the Spanish Criminal Code. The club's move comes in response to statements made by Mr. Perez during a press conference on 12/5 and a subsequent media interview. Barca demands that the Real president retract these statements, which it deems false, defamatory, and severely damaging to its image and reputation. Should this demand remain unaddressed or unsatisfactorily resolved, the reigning La Liga champions will proceed with criminal charges.

Official announcement regarding Barca's mandatory conciliation request against Real Madrid President on 12/6/2026. *Photo: FC Barcelona*

The statements in question stem from the 'Negreira case,' where Mr. Perez, as the head of the Royal Spanish Club, accused Barca of bribing La Liga referees over many years. On 12/5, Perez labeled the situation a 'systemic scandal' and 'the biggest scandal in football history.' He criticized suggestions to 'forget about it,' made by the President of the Spanish Referees' Technical Committee. Perez also announced plans to submit a 500-page dossier on the matter to UEFA, questioning how such a significant corruption case, spanning 20 years, could be overlooked. He expressed confidence that UEFA would intervene, asserting that European football cannot tolerate being overshadowed by prolonged corruption.

Before Barca's recent announcement, acting executive president Rafa Yuste had already indicated that the club's legal department was exploring options against Perez, with a decision implemented that week. On 3/6, Yuste declared, "He uses despicable tactics to destabilize us. We will meet in court. No one is allowed to tarnish the name and logo of Barca. We will defend ourselves. The club will go all the way because we are confident of victory."

Florentino Perez speaks during the celebration of his Real Madrid presidential election victory at the Eurobuilding Hotel, Madrid, Spain on 8/6/2026. *Photo: Reuters*

Spanish newspaper AS reported on 8/6 that the 500-page dossier concerning the Negreira case, promised by President Perez to UEFA, had been in preparation for several months. The 79-year-old leader's objective is to leverage Europe's football governing body to sanction Barca. Real Madrid's complaint dossier reportedly contains clear arguments and evidence of Barca's alleged culpability. Beyond seeking a UEFA ban for their arch-rivals from European competitions, Real Madrid aims to have all titles won by the Catalan club during the scandal period completely expunged from history.

AS also suggested that President Perez's recent efforts to mend relations with UEFA, following tensions over the Super League project, were not solely for cooperation agreements on European football development. Rather, he intends to use this strengthened relationship to undermine Barca. The Negreira case remains open with UEFA. In 2023, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin described it as 'the most serious scandal I have ever seen in football.'

Hoang Thong