UEFA, the European game’s governing body, is probing Barça’s relationship with José María Enríquez Negreira, a former referees' chief in Spanish soccer.

UEFA can ban clubs from its tournaments if it’s shown they tried  to influence the outcome of a match  at domestic or international level.

If found guilty, Barça would face a one-year suspension from continental competition - so they could miss out on next season's Champions League.

There is a precedent for this:  in 2013, UEFA banned Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas over a match-fixing scandal in their domestic game.

FIFA could also take action against Barça. The global governing body has the power to relegate clubs from their league or dock them points.

Spain’s soccer authorities can’t impose any sporting punishments on Barça, as the statute of limitations in the country’s ‘Sports Law’ has passed.

LaLiga instead reported Barça to UEFA. “We’ll do whatever has to be done, even if a Spanish club is involved,” league president Javier Tebas says. 

Spain’s sporting bodies can’t punish Barça - but its criminal justice system can. The club, and two ex-presidents, have been charged with corruption.

If found guilty, Barça face  a fine that would be triple  the amount it gained from its  alleged corrupt activities.

Barcelona could also be suspended from operating or even dissolved entirely - but these two outcomes are considered highly unlikely.