Barcelona

Barcelona boss Xavi was “sad” to hear relegation chants and fake “mafia” bank notes aimed at his side by supporters of Athletic Club.

[throwing banknotes stamped with “mafia $” onto the pitch](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-mafia-athletic-club-fake-banknotes-protest-corruption-scandal/bltf5756028600dfc81). THE BIGGER PICTURE: Pressed further on whether atmosphere in the stands could impact upcoming performances from his players, Barcelona legend Xavi added: “I don't have anything else to add, [just that] it makes me sad. A positive result has cemented Barca’s standing at the top of La Liga, but they continue to generate unfortunate headlines in an ongoing corruption scandal that has seen them face allegations of buying favour from match officials through [payments made to former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/official-prosecutors-barcelona-corruption-referee-payments-saga/bltee870cb19ef91612), between 2001 and 2018.

The Spanish government's top sports authority will take action against Barcelona in the legal proceedings the club is facing for its payments of millions of ...

Prosecutors said in court documents seen by The Associated Press that the payments by the club totaled as much as 7.3 million euros ($7.7 million) from 2001-18. He said "many will be forced to rectify." Barcelona has denied any wrongdoing or conflict of interest, saying it paid for technical reports on referees but never tried to influence their decisions in games. Real Madrid announced after an urgent board meeting Sunday it will also side against its biggest rival, becoming the latest club to express concerns about the case. [Joan Laporta](https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2023/03/12/640df2c546163f19518b45c5.html) said Sunday that Barcelona was "innocent of the accusations" and was "the victim of a campaign, that now involves everyone, to harm its honorability." [Barcelona could be left out of Champions League](https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2023/03/10/640b6defe2704ef0148b45b4.html) [Laporta responds to Real Madrid: Now they are all here](https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2023/03/12/640df2c546163f19518b45c5.html)

Barca's court issues cloud their LaLiga chase, Man United halted by Casemiro red card, more ... It was another big weekend of drama, talking points and action ...

They cut out major defensive errors -- other than a massively costly one from [Mats Hummels](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/84627/Mats-Hummels), but he's fading out of the picture any way -- they did not let their heads drop and they showed the ability to bounce back. But hey, everybody has bad days and [Erling Haaland](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/253989/Erling-Haaland) is entitled to a less-than-stellar display time and again. And while this 4-2 victory was far from flawless -- Juve went 2-0 up and conceded twice in the space of a minute to reopen the game -- and while [Adrien Rabiot](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/176203/Adrien-Rabiot)'s goal to make it 3-2 should probably have been disallowed (it looked as if he controlled the ball with his arm and his reaction rather suggest he felt the same), it doesn't change the fact that Juve dominated. [Achraf Hakimi](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/240233/Achraf-Hakimi) (accused of sexual assault) and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi ( [implicated in](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/02/football/psg-nasser-al-khelaifi-investigation-spt-intl/index.html#:~:text=Paris%20Saint%2DGermain%20president%20Nasser,a%20'kidnapping%20and%20torture'%20investigation&text=President%20of%20PSG%20Nasser%20Al,2022%2C%20in%20Paris%2C%20France) a "kidnapping and torture" investigation). There is little bite in midfield, where [Fabinho](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/176287/Fabinho) continues to struggle. The back four is wobbly (and was at fault for the goal), while up front, there was little intensity other than that displayed by substitute [Diogo Jota](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/208133/Diogo-Jota). [Harry Kane](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/142200/Harry-Kane) bagged two goals to put the game to bed by half-time. They did get the winner -- with Messi setting up [Kylian Mbappe](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/231388/Kylian-Mbappé) -- but the fact it came on the counter itself, with Brest pushing for three points, is significant. [Karim Benzema](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/46858/Karim-Benzema) (and often with him these days), they're not great at turning oodles of possession (70% this weekend) into clear-cut chances. Their lead at the top of [Serie A](/soccer/league/_/name/ITA.1) is now 18 points -- it would dip to 15 if Juve get their points penalty overturned -- and there are 12 games to go. Five minutes from time, [Nico Williams](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/312146/Nico-Williams)' equalising goal was struck off by VAR after replays showed the ball striking [Iker Muniain](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/139419/Iker-Muniain)'s arm earlier in the buildup. Yeah, but this tackle wasn't just "strong" -- it was "dangerous," and it's a safe bet he wouldn't want opponents tackling [Bruno Fernandes](https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/124091/Bruno-Fernandes) or Marcus Rashford that way.

Athletic Bilbao fans threw fake bank notes onto the pitch inside the San Mamés Stadium to signal their displeasure with the alleged payment scandal ...

A Barcelona source told CNN on Friday that the club did not have an official statement. Bilbao pushed for an equalizer throughout the second half and looked to have got it when Iñaki Williams fired the ball into the net, only for VAR to once again come to Barcelona’s rescue and rule out the goal for a handball in the buildup. Responding to the hostile reception from Bilbao fans during Sunday’s game, Barcelona manager Xavi told reporters: “I respect the fans in the San Mamés, they’ve always treated me very well. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the accused held positions of power in the club and were aware of payments invoiced annually from January 2011 until June 2018 to two companies that Enríquez Negreira, a former vice president of the CTA and leading refereeing official in Spain, founded, which “acted on behalf and in direct benefit to Barcelona.” Its first reaction was that the charges were to be expected after recent events and that the club would assist the investigation in any way possible. The two teams faced each other in the league on Sunday, two days after Barcelona had been charged by prosecutors with “continued corruption between individuals,” in addition to other charges.

The chaos behind the scenes at Barcelona continues with the club unable to register star midfielder Gavi in the first team after missing a deadline.

La Liga, however, maintain that [the Catalan club need to slice €200m (£177m/$215m) from their budget in order to make any further signings or registrations](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/barcelona-eye-watering-200m-short-register-academy-players-gavi-araujo/bltfd2f41b89307250d). [allowed them to register Gavi](https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/explained-why-gavi-will-take-xavi-no-6-barcelona-registration/blt57b178bc524eb7c1) as a first-team player, despite La Liga's attempt to block the deal. But now, Barca will have to wait until the summer to sign on their young star, who is still regarded as a youth player. Barcelona will appeal the decision, according to [Relevo](https://www.relevo.com/futbol/liga-primera/gavi-queda-medida-cautelar-barcelona-20230313142502-nt.html). The court originally ruled otherwise, allowing the 18-year-old Spaniard to be registered as a first-team squad member. MOTD host returns following BBC row](https://www.goal.com/en/news/gary-lineker-back-match-of-the-day-host-return-bbc-tweet-without-restrictions/bltc07994f994b3dfc7)

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez has said he was left saddened by the hostility aimed at his team by Athletic Bilbao fans during his side's 1-0 win at.

“Everyone is free to [air their opinion], and I respect all opinions, whether I agree with them or not, but it made me sad,” Xavi said after the game. The home crowd threw money marked with “mafia $” and Barca’s badge onto the pitch during the first half and chanted for Xavi’s side to be relegated “to the second division.” Raphinha grabbed the winning goal in the first half of the match to restore their nine-point lead at the top of LaLiga.

Gavi's new deal as a first-team player at Barcelona has been suspended by a court in the Catalan city, according to a new report.

[ the deal was thought to be blocked by the league in January](/sport/football/article-11676027/Barcelona-told-register-Gavis-new-team-contract.html) because the new first-team player contract took Barcelona above their salary limit. 30 shirt, instead of his new No. It means Gavi must revert back to his former No. 6 shirt previously worn by [Xavi](/sport/xavi/index.html), who is now the Barcelona manager. ](https://www.relevo.com/futbol/liga-primera/gavi-queda-medida-cautelar-barcelona-20230313142502-nt.html)It is believed that the registration has been suspended because Barcelona filed its claim after the deadline - and they were also a day late for a grace period. [Less than a week later, that position changed](/sport/football/article-11696247/Barcelona-register-Gavi-judge-rules-favour-against-LaLiga.html) after a judge at the city's commercial court said that LaLiga's decision was wrong.

According to Relevo, a Barcelona court has lifted the temporary ruling on Gavi's registration. He was previously registered under that ruling, with La Liga ...

Gavi is out of contract this year, and if he is not registered before the 30th of June, he will be available on a free. [Relevo](https://www.relevo.com/futbol/liga-primera/gavi-queda-medida-cautelar-barcelona-20230313142502-nt.html), a Barcelona court has lifted the temporary ruling on Gavi’s registration. Barcelona will be gathering their legal team once again after a court ruling put Gavi’s future at the club under serious threat.

Gavi has been left without a first team registration, but there are two versions in this regard, LaLiga indicates that the club filed the lawsuit out of ...

After the summer, Barcelona renewed Gavi and wanted to enroll him in the first team. However, Barcelona would have to file a lawsuit for the issue to be resolved in court and LaLiga complied with the judge's ruling and allowed the registration. Therefore, the judge withdrew the injunctions and Gavi returns to his previous status, meaning he has his previous contract, so he will have to play with the his youth registration. The story is as follows: LaLiga had rejected the registration of Gavi for the first team on the understanding that Barcelona did not have space within its wage bill. What is clear is that the player will be able to continue playing in the first team, though it remains to be seen with which registration. [LaLiga ](https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football.html?)indicates that the club filed the lawsuit out of time, while the Azulgrana assures that it is a decision of the judge, that it is not a final judgment and that it can be appealed (the latter, the possibility of appeal, is also pointed out by LaLiga).

Barcelona's Bilbao reception suggests they will suffer out of court too, Raphinha proves his worth, Nacho is the best reserve defender in Europe - plus what ...

Mesa was not the only one off in Valladolid’s draw with Elche. They called him the invisible man. Not that [Xavi](/sport/xavi/index.html) is going to enjoy them becoming the team people love to hate. ‘VAR was meant to be for flagrant errors but that seems to have been forgotten. Down at the bottom Sevilla triumphed thanks to their stand-in keeper. It was harsh. Now there is someone with a telescopic lens who sees all. The 31-year-old Serbian was inspired and earned his team the three points – a reminder that he is one of the best keepers in Spain and far too good to rarely play. [Barcelona](/sport/teampages/barcelona.html) were not affected by off-the-field scandal as they won away at Athletic Bilbao to go nine clear at the top. Other clubs will not take kindly to ‘I was surprised by this atmosphere of hostility towards Barça at San Mames,’ said Xavi. Roque Mesa became the unlucky player to be the 100th to be sent off in La Liga this season

The club has denied wrongdoing but is being widely criticized across Spain, and prosecutors on Friday formally accused the club of corruption.

They said the matter was damaging the reputation of Spanish soccer and sports in general. Madrid called for an urgent board meeting on Sunday and expressed its “utmost concern regarding the gravity of the facts” involving Barcelona. Barcelona coach Xavi said the matter was not affecting his players. The club has denied wrongdoing or conflict of interest. Laporta, however, is not being accused by the prosecutors and has denied any wrongdoing. The committee is in charge, among other things, of choosing referees for each match.

The captains from the professional teams as well as those from the youth set ups come together to build a model of captaincy at the Club.

On the one hand, vice-president for sport Rafa Yuste welcomed the captains of the youth teams to the Auditori, 113 boys and girls in small work groups who shared their motivations and personal experiences and then debated what being an FC Barcelona captain means. He encouraged them to continue leading their respective teams and their important role as representatives of FC Barcelona values, both on and off the field. The initiative, set up by the FC Barcelona Centre for Sporting Excellence as part of the Culture and Values Programme, has as its objective the creation of a shared internal guide on captaincy at the Club.

Spanish football was rocked last month when it became public that Barcelona has paid millions of euros to possibly benefit from refereeing decisions for ...

They said the matter was damaging the reputation of Spanish football and sports in general. The Spanish government’s top sports authority also said it planned to take action. Madrid called for an urgent board meeting on Sunday and expressed its “utmost concern regarding the gravity of the facts” involving Barcelona. The club has denied wrongdoing or conflict of interest. Laporta, however, is not being accused by the prosecutors and has denied any wrongdoing. The committee is in charge, among other things, of choosing referees for each match.

The lawsuits, brought by the Barcelona public prosecutor's office, target the club, as well as former presidents Josep Maria Bartomeu and Sandro Rosell.

They said the matter was damaging the reputation of Spanish football and sports in general. But if the club is eventually convicted, it could lead to a ban from competitions. Madrid called for an urgent board meeting on Sunday and expressed its “utmost concern regarding the gravity of the facts” involving Barcelona. The club has denied wrongdoing or conflict of interest. Laporta, however, is not being accused by the prosecutors and has denied any wrongdoing. The committee is in charge, among other things, of choosing referees for each match.

A court has now ordered La Liga to overturn Gavi's registration not for that reason but because the Catalans were a day late filing the paperwork, according to ...

The upshot of it all is that if Gavi’s registration is reversed he will have to give up his No. 6 and go back to wearing the No. “The reason being Barcelona’s failure to comply with the deadlines set for the filing of the main lawsuit.”

LaLiga have succeeded - for now - in preventing Barcelona from registering teenage midfielder Gavi as a first-team player.

[Barcelona](https://en.as.com/soccer/laporta-defends-himself-many-will-have-to-rectify-n/) will have to free up some wages if they want to ‘sign’ the 18-year-old on a first-team contract and stick to LaLiga’s salary cap. The Commercial Court in Barcelona has lifted the precautionary measure which had forced LaLiga to register Barça midfielder Gavi as a first-team player on 31 January. As a result, there is once again a possibility that he could leave the club on a free transfer when his registered contract comes to an end on 30 June;