The European Commission has launched an investigation into seven Spanish football clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, after complaints about them accepting illegal state aid.
The Commission says it's concerned that the alleged aid - believed to be worth several billion euros - had given the clubs an unfair advantage at a time when they were struggling financially.
Spain's Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia says professional football clubs should finance their running costs and investments with sound financial management, not at the expense of the taxpayer.
The Commission said it had not been notified of the payments and had been alerted by "concerned citizens".
