MX23RW : Tuesday, May 30 06:17:00| >> :120:26500:26500:

Barcelona 'avoid ban from next season's Champions League amid corruption allegations'

Barcelona 'avoid ban from next season's Champions League'
© Reuters
Barcelona will reportedly avoid a ban from next season's Champions League amid allegations of corruption regarding the 'Negreira scandal'

Barcelona will reportedly avoid a ban from next season's Champions League amid allegations of corruption.

The La Liga leaders are currently under investigation for paying €7.3m (£6.4m) to two firms owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018.

Negreira is a former vice-president of the Spanish FA's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) and held the role between 1993 and 2018.

Spanish prosecutors have accused Barcelona of 'continued corruption', with Negreira claimed to have favoured the Catalan giants when making refereeing decision in exchange for money.

UEFA are currently overseeing an investigation and they have the power to suspend the five-time Champions League winners from Europe's elite club competition if they are found guilty of match fixing.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta during the press conference on April 17, 2023© Reuters

A statement from UEFA last month read: "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'."

However, according to Sport, via The Mail, UEFA will reportedly wait until next season should they decide to punish Barcelona and intend to given themselves time to assess the case in greater detail as well as wait for a final verdict from the Spanish courts.

The report adds that Barca president Joan Laporta met with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in Slovenia this week to discuss matters regarding the case as well as the proposed breakaway European Super League.

Laporta is said to have held clear-the-air talks with Ceferin, denying any allegations of wrongdoing in relations to the 'Negreira scandal'.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta pictured on August 5, 2022© Reuters

Laporta recently insisted that he is "fully convinced" Barcelona will be able to clear their name and has denied any "intention of altering the competition to gain an advantage."

However, La Liga president Javier Tebas is unconvinced by Laporta's explanation in relation to the case and has suggested that the payments made to Negreira were intended for him to influence matches in Barca's favour.

Barcelona are currently on the verge of winning their first La Liga title for four years as they sit at the top of the table and 11 points clear of reigning champions Real Madrid in second place with nine games remaining.

Xavi's side have dropped points in their last two games against Girona and Getafe, playing out goalless draws on both occasions, and will be looking to return to winning ways at home against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

ID:512021:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5825:

Click here for more stories about Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona president Joan Laporta during the press conference on February 1, 2022
Read Next:
Laporta issues statement in response to charges facing Barcelona
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Real Madrid Until The End
Today's games header
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBarcelona37284569185188
2Real Madrid37245874353977
3Atletico MadridAtletico37237768313776
4Real Sociedad37208949341568
5Villarreal371961257381963
6Real BetisBetis37178124540559
7Osasuna37148153541-650
8Athletic Bilbao37148154642450
9GironaGirona371310145753449
10Rayo Vallecano371310144550-549
11Sevilla371310144652-649
12Mallorca37138163443-947
13Valencia37118184144-341
14CadizCadiz371011162952-2341
15Getafe371011163445-1141
16Almeria37117194662-1640
17Celta Vigo371010174152-1140
18Real ValladolidValladolid37116203363-3039
REspanyol37812174966-1736
RElcheElche3759232966-3724

Real Madrid Until The End
Ted Lasso creative

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!