The Negreira case continues to uncover names and episodes that point to a cover-up, and one of the most striking is that of Albert Soler. The former FC Barcelona executive, ex-PSOE deputy, and former director general of Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD), testified this week as a defendant, once again drawing suspicion over his role in the affair.

Soler, who was part of Barcelona’s structure between 2014 and 2021, had first-hand knowledge of the €8.4 million paid by the club to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice-president of the referees’ committee, in exchange for what Negreira himself described to the Spanish Treasury as “referee neutrality.”

When Joan Laporta returned to the Barça presidency in March 2021, one of his first moves was to dismiss Soler. But the issue didn’t end there. Just two months later, Soler was appointed general director of the CSD, a top-level public office, while the last payment to Negreira (from 2018) had not yet reached its statute of limitations. Even then, he remained silent. That silence—just one month before the deadline expired—acted as the first protective shield for Barcelona.

During his tenure at the club, Soler maintained direct contact with Javier Enríquez Romero, Negreira’s son, and even informed him that his services would no longer be required once his father’s influence in refereeing circles had faded. Later, from his position at the CSD and closely linked to then-Minister Miquel Iceta, Soler became one of the architects of the new Sports Law (approved at the end of 2022). The law shortened the statute of limitations for minor and serious infractions, but notably left those for very serious cases—such as the Negreira affair—untouched. Meanwhile, the Treasury had already initiated its investigation and Barça was aware that the matter had been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Soler’s actions—or rather, his inaction—make it clear that instead of denouncing what he knew, he helped shield Barcelona. His silence allowed the case to expire, protecting the club from potential sanctions.

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