European Commission will open proceedings against Real Madrid and Barcelona

The European Commission ( EC) this week opened an official investigation against seven Spanish football clubs for possible illegal state aid , according to the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia -Margallo forward Monday.

The equipment concerned , for various reasons, are Real Madrid , Barcelona, ​​Athletic , Osasuna , Valencia, Hercules and Elche, García- Margallo confirmed . The minister said that the government has not produced illegality " in no case " and therefore has prepared claims for them.

" It is obvious that the government will give battle to the end in defense of Spanish clubs, which are also part of the brand Spain " Garcia -Margallo said.

EC investigates seven clubs cited for three different reasons , considering that have benefited from public support incompatible with Community rules .

Real Madrid , Barcelona , Athletic Club Bilbao and Osasuna are investigated by their tax status , as are the four clubs that are not First corporations and believes that this could give them advantage.

Secondly, Brussels investigates Valencia , Hercules and Elche for alleged aid the Valencian Institute of Finance .

In addition , Real Madrid is investigated by an exchange of land for building your sports city and Athletic for the role of the public company start to build the new stadium San Mames .

Brussels had kept all these investigations at an early stage , although some had transpired in answers to parliamentary questions and press information .

According to García- Margallo , the EC officially notify the record " on 18 or 19 " , at which point " a process than a month to prepare arguments , already prepared in all cases " will open.

Later , the minister said , there will be a period of three months for elsewhere present arguments and then a decision amending or shall state that there is no aid incompatible with the internal market and the case is closed or will be adopted will force the parties to a return.