Barcelona have received provisional approval to compete in the 2023-24 Champions League, despite an ongoing UEFA investigation into alleged payments made to a former referees’ chief. The probe stems from claims that the Spanish giants made financial transactions intended to influence refereeing decisions in their favour.
The investigation, confirmed by UEFA in March, gained further attention after Barcelona’s public prosecutor launched a criminal inquiry. It is alleged that the club paid €8.4 million (£7.4 million) to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, former vice-president of Spain’s referees’ committee, and his company Dasnil 95.
Barcelona have strongly denied any wrongdoing and continue to maintain their innocence. While UEFA has granted provisional clearance for the club to participate, they reserve the right to impose sanctions depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
