Barcelona and Real Madrid to pay back millions in illegal state aid

La Liga giants among seven Spanish sides found to have broken EC rules

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos lifts the Champions League trophy after his team's victory against Atletico Madrid in Milan
SATURDAY, MILAN: Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos lifts the Champions League trophy after his team's victory against Atletico Madrid in Milan. 
(Image credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Barcelona and Real Madrid will be forced to repay millions of euros of illegal state aid received from national and local authorities in Spain.

In a verdict published today, the European Commission ruled the two clubs, along with five other La Liga teams, received tax breaks, cheap loans and property deals that amounted to unlawful subsidies.

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