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UEFA 'could ban Barcelona from Champions League'

UEFA 'could ban Barcelona from Champions League'
© Reuters
Barcelona face the threat of being banned from the Champions League amid an investigation of the payments made to a former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee.

Barcelona are facing the threat of being banned from the Champions League, with UEFA to investigate the payments made by the club to a former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee.

Court documents showed that the Catalan outfit paid €7.3m (£6.4m) between 2001 and 2018 to two companies which were owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.

Champions League regulations, which have been in place since 2007, allow UEFA to suspend teams from the competition for a season if they are found to have been involved in match fixing.

UEFA have now requested an investigation, the outcome of which could see Barcelona issued a suspension from the European Cup for the 2023-24 campaign.

Barcelona went out in the group stage of this season's Champions League, before being knocked out of the Europa League in the playoff round by Manchester United, but they are well on course to qualify for next season's competition, sitting comfortably at the top of the La Liga table.

Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto celebrates scoring against Real Madrid on March 19, 2023© Reuters

"In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct an investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA's legal framework by FC Barcelona in connection with the so-called 'Caso Negreira'," read a statement from UEFA.

"Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course."

Barcelona have insisted that they simply paid for technical reports on referees, but it is alleged that individual games were potentially influenced by Negreira, who is the former vice-president of Spanish football's refereeing committee.

The club's former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell have also been hit with corruption charges as part of the investigation.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu pictured in July 2018© Reuters

Prosecutors in Spain are accusing the Catalan outfit of fraudulent management, breach of trust and falsification of business documents, with the charges arising following an inspection by tax authorities.

"Let it be clear Barca have never bought referees and Barca have never had the intention of buying referees, absolutely never," current Barcelona president Joan Laporta said earlier this month.

"It's not chance that this comes out now, when Barca are doing well."

Barcelona moved 12 points clear at the top of the La Liga table courtesy of a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in El Clasico last weekend, and they will next be in action away to bottom-of-the-division Elche on April 1.

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Written by
Matt Law

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


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