Barcelona could be kicked out of the Champions League for 'several years', it has been claimed.
The LaLiga giants have made it through to the knockout stages of this year's competition after finishing top of their group ahead of Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp.
Barcelona have now been drawn against Napoli in the round of 16.
However, their long-term future in the tournament is now seemingly at risk.
Barcelona could be kicked out of the Champions League amid claims they may have breached FFP rules
GETTY
Welt.de say Barcelona have been threatened with 'exclusion' from the Champions League from the 2024/2025 season.
It's claimed UEFA are threatening to punish the club, believing they're currently violating Financial Fair Play rules.
Welt say Barcelona's balance sheets are a 'mess', which may explain their eagerness to join a European Super League.
Barcelona were slapped with a fine of €500,000 back in the summer, with UEFA ruling they had 'incorrectly declared profits'.
They also said the club's income was not 'relevant'.
And Barcelona may now be banned for two to three years.
It's claimed that, the greater the loss, the greater the penalty will be if they're found to have breached the rules and regulations.
News of a potential ban comes at a time when Barcelona are looking to play a key role in the creation of a new European Super League.
The European Union of Justice ruled on Thursday that UEFA had no right to propose potential bans on clubs who want to form a new breakway division.
And Barcelona responded by saying: "FC Barcelona wishes to express its satisfaction with the sentence of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) assessing the Super League project as proposed by A22 Sports.
"As one of the clubs driving the Super League project, FC Barcelona feels that the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions as to the path that European competitions should take in the future.
"As it has been maintaining in recent years, the club feels that the medium-term sustainability of European football entails the need create a concept along the lines of the Super League proposed by A22.
"A system of competition that will address such issues as fixture overload and the excessive number of games between national teams, that will work towards regulation of financial fair play among participating teams, and that will put local and international players and supporters at the centre.
"This system must respect the functions and sustainability of domestic competitions and should be a meritocracy that is primarily based on results on the pitch."
Real Madrid, Barcelona's fierce rivals, are also open to the idea.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Barcelona are keen to create a new European Super League
GETTY
Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez said: "We are at the beginning of a new era where we can work freely, in constructive dialogue, without threats, without acting against anything or anyone and with the aim to innovate and modernise club football to bring passion back to the fans.
"From today, the present and future of European football is finally in the hands of clubs, the players and their fans.
"Our destiny belongs to us and we have a great responsibility before us.
"This day will mark a before and after.
"It is a great day for the history of football and for the history of sport."
Barcelona haven't won the Champions League since 2015
GETTY
Fellow LaLiga giants Atletico Madrid, however, have distanced themselves from the idea.
A statement read: "Atlético de Madrid, after analyzing the ruling of the European Court of Justice, would like to express the following:
"1. The resolution regarding the framework for prior authorization of other competitions refers to outdated UEFA statutes that were already amended in June 2022.
"2. The European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA have established a partnership that renders the consideration of UEFA as a monopoly meaningless. Through agreements within this joint venture, clubs decide 50% on the sale of sponsorship and television rights, revenue distribution, and competition formats.
"3.The European football community does not support the European Super League. Germany, France, England, Italy, Spain (except for Real Madrid and Barcelona), etc. oppose the Super League.
"We advocate for protecting the broader European football family, preserving domestic leagues, and securing qualification for European competitions through on-field performance each season."
