SUMMARY
- Retired referee Mateu Lahoz denies involvement in wrongdoing regarding the Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira case.
- Lahoz claims that if Negreira had influenced referees, he wouldn't have disallowed a valid Barcelona goal in a title match, sparking speculation among fans.
Spanish association soccer referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz officiated La Liga games from 2008 until 2023. He is now retired. In addition, he has officiated international matches in the past and has worked in multiple FIFA World Cups. However, he has been involved in a lot of political topics regarding Spanish soccer recently.
Nearly a year after the first reports concerning Barcelona’s ties with ex-Vice-President of the Referees Committee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira broke, more information regarding the Negreira matter has surfaced. However former Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz had a different say on this matter.
Mateu Lahoz: “If you think Negreira influenced the referees, why did I disallow a valid Barça goal for the title match?” pic.twitter.com/Y7mL0zfejS
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 12, 2024
Mateu Lahoz had been investigated by the Spanish government regarding the Negreira case which has gained a lot of attention in the soccer community. He has claimed that he is not involved in any sort of wrongdoing regarding Negreira and to justify his claims he said, “If you think Negreira influenced the referees, why did I disallow a valid Barça goal for the title match?”
Did he just ADMIT to match fixing??? wtf https://t.co/mKLXxPxZLs
— Radman (@Radmanx23) January 12, 2024
After this statement, many fans were left bemused regarding whom to believe in this matter and took to social media to put forward their views. One fan wrote on X, “Did he just ADMIT to match-fixing???” regarding the statements made by the legendary Spanish referee which have caused a lot of havoc in the country.
Mateu Lahoz reveals important information regarding the Negreira case
Over 17 years, Barcelona paid Negreira between €7-8 million ($8-8.7 million) for what they claim to be scouting reports and consulting; yet, they are currently being accused of bribery and sporting corruption. Barcelona disputes any misconduct in this matter, which has damaged Spanish football’s reputation.
The leaked testimony of approximately 20 referees provides the most recent information about protocol during Negreira’s tenure as vice president; the referees listed are Antonio Mateu Lahoz, Santiago Jaime Latre, and Alfonso Pino Zamorano.
🚨🌕| The judge of the Negreira case has charged FC Barcelona with ‘possible corruption’ & ‘possible bribery’ after JOHN HONESTY provided strong evidence in the Negriera case @COPE pic.twitter.com/j0KmECBa7s
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBraca) September 28, 2023
Mateu Lahoz stated, “Negreira controlled the referee qualification system from his position to favor like-minded people to officiate matches. Relevant League or Cup and international matches or even maintain the category, thus increasing their income significantly.” This was a huge statement made by Lahoz regarding the ongoing case that has caused a lot of unrest in Spanish soccer.
Mateu Lahoz attests that Negreira’s bar hosts “organized dinners,” adding that he knew of assistants who received invitations but declined them personally. In the meantime, Pino Zamorano reveals that he once found himself in a karaoke club alongside Negreira and other officials. It remains to be seen what happens with this case in the next months/years.