UEFA has officially affirmed Barcelona’s participation in the upcoming UEFA Champions League on Thursday. However, the organization stated that a probe into a payment of over $7 million to a refereeing official could be reopened if new evidence surfaces.

Barcelona’s coveted position in the Champions League group stage, valued at tens of millions of euros and secured through their victory in LaLiga last season, had faced potential jeopardy due to the Caso Negreira scandal.

According to court documents, Barcelona disbursed €7.3 million ($7.7 million) between 2001 and 2018 to a company linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of Spain’s football refereeing committee.

The Spanish Judiciary officially steamrolled allegations of corruption in this kind of sport, deceitful management, and falsification of business papers against Barcelona.

However, since UEFA initiated its investigation in March, no specific allegations regarding fixed matches or influenced referees have come to light.

In accordance with UEFA’s competition regulations, teams can face exclusion from one season of European competition if implicated in match-fixing, whether domestic or international, dating back to April 2007. Additional disciplinary actions may also be imposed.

On Thursday, UEFA declared that Barcelona has been “provisionally cleared for participation” in the Champions League. Nevertheless, a “forthcoming determination on admission or exclusion” remains a possibility. The draw for the Champions League group stage is scheduled for August 31.

Barcelona has steadfastly denied any misconduct or conflict of interest, asserting that their payments were made for technical referee assessments and never intended to sway decision-making during matches.

The UEFA inquiry unfolded simultaneously with Barcelona pursuing legal action against UEFA at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, pertaining to the ill-fated Super League project of 2021.

Barcelona, along with Real Madrid and Juventus, contend that UEFA exercises monopoly control, hindering potential rival competitions.