Real Madrid set to take action against Barcelona over alleged corruption

Real Madrid will side against their fierce rivals Barcelona in the legal proceedings that the Catalan giants face over the club's payments of millions of Euros spanning several years to a company, which belonged to the vice president of Spain's soccer refereeing committee.

The decision came two days after prosecutors formally accused Barcelona of alleged corruption in sports, fraudulent management and falsification of mercantile documentation.

An investigating judge will decide whether the accusations should lead to charges.

"Real Madrid wishes to express its utmost concern regarding the gravity of the facts and reiterates its confidence in the legal system," the club said in a statement after their board meeting.

"The club has agreed that, in defense of its legitimate rights, it will appear at the trial when the judge opens it up to the affected parties."

It was the first time Real had officially weighed in on the matter.

Other clubs had already expressed their concerns over Barcelona's payments, as did the Spanish La Liga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The league also planned to take action against Barcelona in the legal proceedings.

Prosecutors alleged that the former vice president of the committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, "in exchange for money, carried out acts tending to favour Barcelona football club in the decision-making process of referees in the games played by Barcelona, and in the results of those competitions."

But there is so far no evidence that referees or game results were actually influenced.