State aid: Commission decides Spanish professional football clubs have to pay back incompatible aid

The European Commission concluded on 4 July 2016 that public support measures granted by Spain to seven professional football clubs gave those clubs an unfair advantage over other clubs, in breach of the European Union's State aid rules.

This decision was a result of three separate in-depth investigations, which had been triggered in December 2013.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into public funding of certain Spanish professional football clubs http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-state-aid-commission-opens-in-depth-investigation-into-public-funding-of-certain-spanish-professional-football-clubs/

EurActiv, 04.07.16: State aid for Spanish football clubs was ‘illegal’, Vestager says http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/state-aid-for-spanish-football-clubs-was-illegal-vestager-says/

BBC News, 04.07.16: Real Madrid among Spain clubs ordered to repay state aid http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36706262

The Guardian, 04.07.16: Spanish football clubs to repay tens of millions in illegal state subsidies https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/04/spanish-football-clubs-repay-tens-millions-illegal-state-subsidies-brussels

Deutsche Welle, 04.07.16: EU orders Spanish football clubs to pay back millions in state aid http://dw.com/p/1JIlE

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