Football
PA Sport 7y

Barcelona deny asking permission to speak with Ernesto Valverde

Barcelona have denied seeking permission to speak to Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde over their summer managerial vacancy.

Valverde, enjoying an impressive campaign with Athletic, is one of a number of names linked with replacing Luis Enrique, who announced earlier this month that he will not be Barca's head coach next season.

But a statement from the Catalan club on Friday evening read: "FC Barcelona emphatically denies having asked permission from Athletic Club to negotiate the hiring of coach Ernesto Valverde, as reported tonight on television in Catalonia.

"Likewise, the club denies that technical secretary Robert Fernandez has contacted Ernesto Valverde in recent days to negotiate joining FC Barcelona.''

Earlier on Friday, Barca were fined over the ecstatic celebrations at the end of their incredible Champions League comeback victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body imposed a fine of €19,000 (around £16,500) for the pitch invasion that followed Sergi Roberto's 95th-minute goal, which secured a 6-1 victory on the night after a 4-0 defeat in the first leg in Paris.

The fine was also issued for the "improper conduct'' of Barcelona's players, with five bookings picked up by Luis Enrique's men during the game.

No team in UEFA club competition history had ever previously overcome a 4-0 first-leg deficit.

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