UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has refused to rule out the idea that Barcelona could be hit with a Champions League ban over their controversial charges of corruption.
Barcelona are in hot water over a referee-fixing scandal involving alleged payments made to the former vice president of Spain’s refereeing committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira.
According to reports in February, Barcelona have been accused of paying Negreira a hefty £7.4m fee between the periods of 2001 to 2018.
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Former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell are among those targeted in the lawsuits alongside the La Liga club.
It is believed that Barcelona could be hit with a one-season ban from the Champions League if they are charged over the payments made to Negreira.
Barcelona, who are under criminal investigation, are also at risk of La Liga relegation or having points docked if they are charged with corruption.
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Javier Tebas has also come under scathing criticism from Barcelona, who accused the La Liga president of presenting “false evidence” in the investigation.
The La Liga chief has vehemently denied the accusations from Barcelona, but the Spanish side called for him to resign in a club statement on Monday.
“Only for this fact, that of attributing functions that do not correspond to him, although also out of dignity and respect for the presidency of La Liga, Mr Tebas should resign from his function,” reads Barcelona’s statement.
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Ceferin, who was re-elected as UEFA president on Wednesday, insisted that the situation involving Barcelona is “extremely serious” for his organisation.
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“From what I have been told happened, the situation is extremely serious,” he said.
“So serious that in my estimation it is one of the most serious in football since I have been involved in it.
“We have an independent disciplinary committee. I cannot comment on what it might decide.
“Naturally, for La Liga, the matter is out of date and cannot have competitive consequences.
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“But proceedings are going on at the level of the Spanish civil prosecutor’s office.
“And the same applies with UEFA action, because we have no time limit on alleged offences like this.”
Adnan Riaz