The EU Commission opens three formal State aid investigations into the public fundings of some of the most well-known Spanish football clubs

EUROPEAN COMMISSION TARGETS SPANISH FOOTBALL CLUBS INCLUDING REAL MADRID AND BARCELONA FOR STATE AID INVESTIGATION* The European Commission (Commission), on 18 December 2013, opened three formal State aid investigations into public support measures for major Spanish football clubs. The Commission alleges that the clubs under investigation have benefitted from State aid that cannot be authorised. The clubs, which include Real Madrid and Barcelona, are therefore exposed to the risk of the alleged benefit being recovered. Professional sports clubs in other EU Member States should also be aware