Barcelona at even bigger risk of European ban after clever attempt to get round Uefa financial rules backfires

BARCELONA’S clever attempt to get round Uefa financial rules has put them in even greater jeopardy of a European ban.

Uefa watchdogs have ruled out the use of “levers” — selling off future TV and merchandising rights — as part of annual income calculations because they are deemed “intangible rights”.

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Barcelona’s attempts to get round Uefa financial rules is set to backfire[/caption]

Barca chief Joan Laporta and Co had banked on a £340million deal with investment group Sixth Street to get round a cash shortfall.

And they sold their IT rights for a further £170m.

Barcelona have some cash to spend in this window, with Man City’s Joao Cancelo lined up.

But they face a major reckoning with Uefa in October 2024 when this season’s accounts are scrutinised.

Warnings of an impending “disaster” are rife.

Uefa has already published a fixed-penalty schedule for clubs that breach the new rules. In most cases, that will bring fines.

But Barca’s refusal to even attempt to meet regulations is likely to mean breaches will be seen as wilful acts of non-compliance.

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Uefa are also preparing charges if Barca are found guilty of fixing allegations.

They face claims a former head of Spain’s ref commission was paid £6.5m over 17 years.

Barca are said to have made the payments between 2001 and 2018, including the four-year spell they were coached by Pep Guardiola – although there are no suggestions the Manchester City boss was aware of the agreement.

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