Head-turning claims surrounding a potential punishment set to be handed down to Spanish giants Barcelona by UEFA have come to the fore.
The info comes courtesy of German outlet Welt, who cite inside information regarding the financial situation facing the Blaugrana at present.
Despite long-standing claims to the contrary, it is assured that Barca’s balance sheets are ‘a mess’, with European football’s governing body ready to act as a result.
Joan Laporta and co. recently announced a profit of over €300 million, a figure which appeared to have removed any potential sanction from the equation.
However, Welt allege that this is not the case, with UEFA not satisfied with the source of such income.
Clubs across the continent are obliged to balance their books over periods of three years, with expenses offset by corresponding income.
The vast majority of Barcelona’s recent earnings have come by way of the sale of future TV and marketing rights.
But ‘these have no influence on UEFA’s assessment’, with only sales ‘directly attributed to the football business’ taken into account.
In turn, the Catalans could find themselves facing up to a massive fine, as well as a ban of two to three years from the Champions League.
Conor Laird | GSFN
