UEFA, Europe’s governing body, wants to punish Barcelona by barring them from the Champions League for an indefinite period of time.
From 2001 to 2018, Barcelona is accused of making payments totaling more than €7 million to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former vice president of the Spanish Technical Committee of Referees.
According to Forbes, if Barcelona is found guilty of the allegations, UEFA will request a multi-year ban from European competitions such as the Champions League.
UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have been appointed to conduct an investigation into Barcelona’s possible violation of UEFA’s legal framework in connection with the so-called ‘Caso Negreira.’
Barcelona through its president Joan Laporta has since denied the club broke any laws and insisted all payments were made legally for consultation services carried out by Negreira.
Barcelona worried about UEFA ban Meanwhile, officials at Barcelona are worried about being banned from UEFA competitions after the European football governing body opened an investigation into the club.
The Catalans believed they could be sanctioned by UEFA which automatically means a ban from the Champions League for at least one season if they are found guilty.
Barcelona, on the other hand, is unconcerned about the Spanish justice system or the prosecutor’s office, believing that no crimes were committed in the ‘Negreira case.
Barcelona could be relegated to second division
It was reported that Barcelona could be sent to the Spanish second division of Spanish football in the wake of the corruption charges the club faces over paying officials.
Spanish prosecutors have charged Barcelona with corruption over payments the club made to a former vice president of Spain’s referees’ Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
The Catalan giants had paid the company of Enrique Negreira £7.4m between 2001 and 2018, which has caused much resentment within La Liga teams.