FC Barcelona has been caught up in another financial scandal, however, this might lead to grave consequences for Lionel Messi’s former club. The Blaugranas, who are at the top of the La Liga table as of now, could see themselves missing out on the UEFA Champions League even if they win the league.
According to Forbes, UEFA can punish a club “if an activity has been committed to organize or influence the result of a match at a national or international level,” it is said, and may exercise a sanction “effective only for one football season.”
Barcelona was charged last week over payments made to a former official of Spanish football’s refereeing committee. Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice president of the refereeing committee has been named in the case by the Spanish public prosecutor’s office.
FC Barcelona charged with corruption over payments made to a former chief of the refereeing committee
The Spanish public prosecutor’s office has brought the case up in the Spanish courts. They have even said that Negreira, who held the role of vice president between 1994 and 2018, will also face charges of corruption. According to The Athletic, the other individuals who are facing charges of corruption include “Josep Maria Bartomeu, Barca president from 2014-2020, and Sandro Rosell, president from 2010-2014.”
Barcelona have been charged with corruption by Spanish prosecutors over payments made to the former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee.
Former Barcelona presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell are also facing corruption charges. pic.twitter.com/zFUu33ESBh
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 10, 2023
Negreira has denied the charges. He has claimed that he never favored Barcelona in terms of refereeing decisions. Barca also denies wrongdoings. It has explained that it hired an “external consultant” who provided reports “related to professional refereeing.”
A Catalan radio program ‘Que t’hi jugues‘ revealed the news about the payments in February. A company called Dasnil 95, owned by Negreira, was found to have irregularities.
According to El Mundo, the payments received by Dasnil 95 were around $7.5 million. This was received in a period extending from 2001 to 2018. This also includes Joan Laporta’s first reign from 2003 to 2010.
The Blaugranas do fear a sanction from UEFA, however, they might not be fearing La Liga. Javier Tebas, La Liga president said, “[We] respect the investigation that the Prosecutor’s Office is going to do.”
“If it decides to file the appropriate complaint, we will have to appear as a private accusation,” he said.
“However, it is not possible that [FC Barcelona can be punished], since between 2018 and 2023 five years have passed and this type of sanction expires after three years.”
🚨 Real Madrid say they will appear at the trial against Barcelona, who are facing corruption charges over money paid to the vice-president of Spain's referees' committee. Prosecutors allege Barca paid £7.4m in return for favourable refereeing decisions. pic.twitter.com/H5Ov0ge0Jl
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) March 12, 2023
Barcelona’s La Liga rival Real Madrid also released a statement confirming their intention to join the complaint against Barcelona.
Will Lionel Messi return to Barcelona if they are banned from European competitions?
Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lionel Messi will see his contract expire in the summer of 2023. There are talks of him renewing his contract in France. However, rumors of him making a move are not far behind. Especially, after PSG was ousted in the Champions League Round of 16 for the second year running with Messi.
🎉 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 🎉
♦️ #FCBPSG 2-0 (agg: 3-0) ♦️ pic.twitter.com/GTBzHMwX3v
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) March 8, 2023
The Argentine is rumored to move to MLS club Inter Miami or back to Barcelona. However, the difference between the salaries that Messi would earn at these clubs will be massive. Barcelona’s financial conditions will not let them pay Messi enough which already diminishes his chance of returning.
On the other hand, if Barcelona is found guilty of corruption and banned from European competitions, it would make no sense for Messi to return.
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