Real Madrid and Barcelona are among seven Spanish clubs that are being investigated by the European Commission over public funding, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Along with the two most successful clubs in Spanish football, the Commission has also opened a probe into their fellow top-flight sides Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, Osasuna and Elche.
Segunda Division side Hercules are also under investigation as the Commission seeks to determine if state aid received by those clubs is in line with European Union regulations.
A Commission statement read: "The European Commission has opened three distinct in-depth investigations to verify whether various public support measures in favour of certain Spanish professional football clubs are in line with EU state aid rules."
