UEFA regulations allow entry ex officio beyond what the courts decide
The Public Prosecution Service plans to charge FC Barcelona with ongoing corruption related to payments made to Enríquez Negreira, who served as Vice-President of the Referees’ Technical Commission. The complaint, awaiting processing, names the club as well as Negreira and former president Bartomeu for alleged forgery of documents and potential unfair administration. The case will proceed through the legal system. Under sports law, the alleged facts may already be considered time barred, and no administrative sanction might follow. The central question many fans ask is whether Barcelona could face a ban from European competition for a season. Could UEFA choose to act against Barcelona regardless of the court outcomes?
Barça faces growing fear of a possible UEFA sanction
GOAL has reliably learned that FC Barcelona is increasingly worried about a potential UEFA sanction. Beyond the prosecution’s complaint and its evolving details, club insiders acknowledge the situation looks serious. Barcelona recognizes its fragile standing with UEFA. The club previously sought the Super League path, confronted UEFA in court, and now the Negreira case adds pressure. Private sources within the club admit that if UEFA retaliates over the Super League matter, the situation could escalate dramatically. To date, Barcelona has not received any formal communication from UEFA. The plan is to hold an information briefing on the Negreira case to present new data and the results of an external investigation, but nerves and anxiety have intensified in recent hours. There is concern about possible UEFA intervention and about the prospect of being excluded from European competitions before the 2023 2024 season.
UEFA remains quiet, seeks details from RFEF Integrity and monitors the Negreira case
UEFA has maintained a cautious silence for now while closely monitoring the situation and has asked for information about the Negreira case from the Integrity unit of the RFEF. The governing body collects details from all involved parties. It is important to recall that UEFA has clear rules governing the timing of whether a team can participate in European competitions. The articles touching on this matter reference the standards for classifying participation in continental events. The framework referenced includes articles that guide these decisions and the potential for UEFA to intervene when integrity is compromised.
Article 4.02 and UEFA’s right to determine participation
What does Article 4.02 indicate? It states that if, based on all the facts and information available to UEFA, the federation concludes that a club has been directly or indirectly involved since a specific baseline moment in activities aimed at influencing the outcome of a competition, such a club may be deemed unfit to participate in European competition for one season. In making its determination, UEFA may, but is not obliged to, rely on decisions from national or international sport bodies, an arbitration court, or a state court.
UEFA holds full authority to decide who competes in its leagues
In effect, UEFA has the power to decide not to allow a club to compete in European events, even if a court order says otherwise. The governing body possesses the authority to determine participation based on its own assessment. In addition to possible administrative measures described in Article 4.02, UEFA can pursue disciplinary action under its Disciplinary Regulations if the circumstances warrant. All participants bound by UEFA rules are expected to cooperate with the federation and avoid any conduct that could harm the integrity of the competitions.
Reuben Uria
Source: Goal