Barcelona 'avoid ban from next season's Champions League amid corruption allegations'

The La Liga leaders are currently under investigation for paying €7.3m (£6.4m) to two firms owned by Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira between 2001 and 2018.

Negreira is a former vice-president of the Spanish FA's Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) and held the role between 1993 and 2018.

Spanish prosecutors have accused Barcelona of 'continued corruption', with Negreira claimed to have favoured the Catalan giants when making refereeing decision in exchange for money.

UEFA are currently overseeing an investigation and they have the power to suspend the five-time Champions League winners from Europe's elite club competition if they are found guilty of match fixing.

A statement from UEFA last month read: "In accordance with Article 31(4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors have today been appointed to conduct an investigation regarding a potential violation of UEFA's legal framework by FC Barcelona in connection with the so-called 'Caso Negreira'."

However, according to Sport, via The Mail, UEFA will reportedly wait until next season should they decide to punish Barcelona and intend to given themselves time to assess the case in greater detail as well as wait for a final verdict from the Spanish courts.

The report adds that Barca president Joan Laporta met with UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in Slovenia this week to discuss matters regarding the case as well as the proposed breakaway European Super League.

Laporta is said to have held clear-the-air talks with Ceferin, denying any allegations of wrongdoing in relations to the 'Negreira scandal'.

Laporta recently insisted that he is "fully convinced" Barcelona will be able to clear their name and has denied any "intention of altering the competition to gain an advantage."

However, La Liga president Javier Tebas is unconvinced by Laporta's explanation in relation to the case and has suggested that the payments made to Negreira were intended for him to influence matches in Barca's favour.

Barcelona are currently on the verge of winning their first La Liga title for four years as they sit at the top of the table and 11 points clear of reigning champions Real Madrid in second place with nine games remaining.

Xavi's side have dropped points in their last two games against Girona and Getafe, playing out goalless draws on both occasions, and will be looking to return to winning ways at home against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.