UEFA clears Barcelona for Champions League, warns investigation into ref funds might be reopened

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA confirmed Barcelona’s place within the subsequent Champions League on Thursday although stated an investigation into greater than $7 million paid to a refereeing official might be reopened if extra proof emerges.

Barcelona’s place within the Champions League group stage value tens of tens of millions of euros ({dollars}) – earned by successful the Spanish league final season – might have been in danger from the so-called “Caso Negreira” case.

Court paperwork present Barcelona paid 7.3 million euros ($7.7 million) from 2001-18 to the corporate of José María Enríquez Negreira, the previous vice chairman of Spanish soccer’s refereeing committee.

Prosecutors in Spain formally accused Barcelona of corruption in sports, fraudulent administration and falsification of enterprise paperwork.

However, no clear allegations of any particular fastened video games or referees who have been influenced have emerged since UEFA opened its investigation in March.

UEFA competitors guidelines require groups to be faraway from one season of European competitors if they’re implicated in fixing any home or worldwide recreation since April 2007. Further disciplinary punishments might additionally comply with.

UEFA stated Thursday that Barcelona is now “provisionally admitted to take part” within the Champions League although a “future decision on admission/exclusion” remains to be attainable. The Champions League group-stage draw is on Aug. 31.

Barcelona has persistently denied any wrongdoing or battle of curiosity, saying it paid for technical reviews on referees however by no means tried to affect their selections in video games.

The UEFA investigation was performed whereas it’s nonetheless being pursued by Barcelona on the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg over the Super League mission that failed in 2021.