BARCELONA could face a Champions League ban - but only if they are found guilty of fixing references to them.
Spanish prosecutors have opened legal action against the Catalan side, which allegedly paid the country's referee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, more than £6 million over a 17 YEAR period.
Spanish giants Barcelona sweat over the lawsuit
Spanish giants Barcelona sweat over the lawsuit
Xavi leads Barcelona 12 points ahead in La Liga
Xavi leads Barcelona 12 points ahead in La Liga
Barca are believed to have made the payments between 2001 and 2018, including a four-year period they were coached by Pep Guardiola - although there is no indication that the Manchester City boss was aware of the deal. this agreement.
The club and its former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell, as well as Negreira, have both been accused of corruption.
Rival clubs, including Real Madrid, have demanded massive sanctions against the Camp Nou team. And while the Spanish FA's rules, which provide a three-year statute of limitations for 'serious' infractions, mean La Liga and the national association cannot impose penalties, the provisions of UEFA leads to a European ban if the allegations are proven. .
Sun Sport understands the Euro chiefs - who can see the situation as a wedge between Barca and Real over their participation in the Super League - will not consider any action until the end of legal proceedings. in Spain .
This is despite the fact that UEFA's legal department has asked the Spanish Football Federation for a full report on what the investigation has uncovered.
UEFA regulations state that clubs must "refrain from any conduct that damages or is likely to compromise the integrity of matches and competitions".
This includes anyone using a "third party" to act "in a manner capable of unlawfully or inappropriately influencing the course and/or outcome of a match or competition". Any club that violates this rule could be banned from playing for a season in Europe.
Real have joined a separate lawsuit, adding to the pressure on Barca, who have also been told they have a budget MINUS £200m this summer.
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