The 2022–23 La Liga Champions Barcelona could be kicked out of the Champions League next season as UEFA is currently investigating the allegations levied against the club over the payment of a huge amount of money to referees.
UEFA announced in March 2023, that they were opening an investigation into the accusation.
This came after it was reported that they paid £6 million to companies owned by Jose Enriquez, the former vice President of the Spanish referees committee.
It was claimed that the payment was made between 2001 and 2018.
The Football governing body confirmed the club had been granted provisional access to the 2023–24 Champions League but acknowledged that “A future decision on admission from the UEFA competitions is reserved”.
In March 2023, UEFA said that ethics and disciplinary investigators had been employed to look into the potential violation of the UEFA legal framework in relation to this case.
The appeals body of UEFA said on July 27, 2023, that “The investigators in charge of the case are invited to continue and finalize their investigation and to send a further report to the appeals body if and when they consider that the admission of Barcelona should be assessed.”
On the other hand, Barcelona had denied any wrongdoing relating to paying the former vice President of Spain’s referee committees.
In the Champions League, Xavi Hernandez’s men are set to enter the competition as a Pot 1 side after they won the La Liga title last season.
Next Season, they are looking forward to avoiding a third straight group stage exit in the tournament. In the 2022–23 Champions League, Barcelona finished third in their group behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
They dropped into the Europa League in 2022/23 and got eliminated by Manchester United on a 4-3 aggregate.
The Barcelona team reached just one Champions League semi-final in eight years, which they lost on a 4-3 aggregate to Liverpool.
Barcelona Transfer News
Alex Collado has sent out a goodbye message to Barcelona after joining Real Betis. The Catalian giant has the right to a certain percentage in case Alex Collado joins another club from Real Betis.
Barcelona are interested in signing Real Valladolid right back Ivan Fresneda. The deal was discussed earlier this summer, but Barcelona were not willing to pay his release clause of £20 million.
However, they are keen on bringing him in this season before the end of the transfer window.
Chadi Riad is no longer a Barcelona player after joining Real Betis on a season-long loan with a Purchase option.
The young Moroccan International moved to the La Liga side in a bid to get regular playing time.
Al-Hilal are currently monitoring Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski for a potential 2024 move. They are ready to offer him a huge salary just to make him leave Barcelona.
What do you think about Barcelona not playing in the next Champions League? Air your views in the comments section.
