Is this the end? Barcelona could be excluded from the Champions League

Barcelona are facing another alarming twist in the Negreira case.

Details: According to Marca, Barcelona fear they could be temporarily excluded from the Champions League as UEFA continues to examine the Negreira case. The report claims European football's governing body would not necessarily have to wait for a final verdict from the Spanish courts before taking an eligibility measure against the Catalan club.

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The situation has intensified after UEFA confirmed that it received a substantial amount of documentation from Real Madrid concerning its ongoing investigation into Barcelona and José María Enríquez Negreira. UEFA's Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors are assessing the new materials as part of the existing review.

Barcelona have stressed that UEFA has not opened a new case. In an official statement, the club explained that the proceedings began in 2023 and were never formally closed. The Catalans also said that, as of October 1, UEFA had made no new request for information and had not forwarded Real Madrid's complaint to the club.

However, the current Champions League regulations contain a significant provision. If UEFA is comfortably satisfied that a club has been directly or indirectly involved in activity aimed at arranging or influencing the result of a match, it can declare that club ineligible for the competition for one football season. The regulations also state that UEFA may rely on a decision by a state court or sporting body, but is not bound by it.

It is worth noting that Barcelona continue to hold a UEFA licence and remain in the 2026/27 Champions League. Their next match in the competition is scheduled for October 13 away against Galatasaray.

Reminder: A response to Real Madrid's claims! Barcelona issues statement on the Negreira case