Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano is facing investigation in Spain.

The Daily Mail says Soriano could be investigated over allegations of spying during his time at Barcelona.

City's CEO was vice-president at the Nou Camp between 2005 and 2008, playing a big part in Barca's success on and off the field.

But it has been alleged that he was partly responsible for sanctioning a £1.7million email surveillance of club employees, including four other vice-presidents suspected of working against ex-Barca president Joan Laporta.

The public prosecutor's office of Catalonia has now passed the case on to the regional prosecutor's office, to look into whether Soriano may be guilty of criminal liability.

However, it is understood that a formal investigation has yet to be launched, and Soriano has had no contact with prosecutors since he was interviewed along with up to 30 other people some time ago.

The Premier League champions have been aware for some time of a smear campaign in Spain aimed at discrediting Soriano and destabilising their club.