Prosecutors are seeking corruption charges against Barcelona and former president Josep Maria Bartomeu following the unearthing of payments to the former vice president of the refereeing committee, judicial sources have confirmed to Spanish news agency EFE.

Until now, former referee Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira had been the sole focus of the investigation for payments worth €1.4 million received from Barca between 2016 and 2018.

However, Barca and Bartomeu will now also be probed as defendants in the case and could face legal action for the money paid to Negreira's company, Dasnil 95 SL.

SOC

Barcelona confirm position on Xavi contract extension

Former Barca presidents Joan Gaspart and Sandro Rosell, along with current president Joan Laporta — who also was in charge of the club from 2003 to 2010 — will also be summoned as witnesses.