Shocking Leaks: Laporta, Enrique, and Valverde Speak Out in the Nigerira Case
16 December 2025
Key Revelations
New audio leaks in the Nigerira affair reveal the testimony of FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, along with the club’s former coaches Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde.
Cadena SER aired clips suggesting neither Enrique nor Valverde were aware of arbitration reports or of the club’s dealings with Maria Niegrera, the former deputy head of the referees committee, during their tenures.
Laporta also denies knowledge of the deputy head or his son being involved in the case, stating he was not informed about the reports or any documents related to referees.
Responses from Barça Figures
Valverde is quoted as saying he never used such reports, never requested them, and was not briefed on them at Barcelona; he notes that in Bilbao his assistants may receive them, but he was never told about these services or related documents.
He also points out that some clubs hire arbitration consultants, citing Athletic Bilbao as an example, but emphasizes he was never informed at Barcelona about such services or shown any related documents.
Enrique adds that he does not recall being offered or using these reports and that he did not engage with them during his time with Barça or at his current club.
Barça’s Defense and Broader Context
Laporta defends payments to firms linked to Niegrera as decisions rooted in past boards, argued to have benefited the club and to be part of ongoing operations rather than a constructed mechanism to influence competition.
He maintains that the reports were produced by Niegrera’s son, a claim contested by the son himself, who denies involvement and disputes the narrative forwarded by the club’s leadership.
Laporta stresses Barça never intended to manipulate results, framing the case as an attempt to undermine the club’s achievements during a successful era that has elevated Barça onto the world stage.
He concludes that the club faced a coordinated campaign to damage its reputation and that more context will emerge as investigations progress.
Punchline time: If Barca’s drama were a match, the whistle would be used for a parade, not a foul. If leaks paid the bills, this article would need a bigger end-credit scene than a blockbuster.
