UEFA may be entitled to exclude a major European club from the Champions League as it investigates which teams have violated the financial regulations required for participation.
Each season, the European football authority reviews compliance across all clubs involved in its competitions—including the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League—to ensure adherence to strict financial guidelines.
In 2025, this scrutiny could lead to a significant suspension and disciplinary measures for two additional clubs. ..Continue Reading
Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Barcelona are currently under the spotlight for alleged financial misconduct.
Barcelona appears to be in the most jeopardy, having breached Financial Fair Play rules for a second straight year, while Chelsea and Aston Villa—first-time offenders—are expected to receive lighter penalties.
Last year, Barcelona challenged UEFA’s findings but were ultimately fined £420,000 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which warned that repeat violations could trigger harsher consequences.
After giving the judgement, CAS also said: “A similar breach would be addressed by the imposition of a harsher disciplinary measure” from UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board (CFCB).”
Barcelona attempted to meet UEFA’s financial regulations by offloading their media rights and in-house content division, but UEFA classified the proceeds as gains from the sale of intangible assets rather than sustainable revenue.
This marks a second consecutive financial breach for the Catalan side, which could lead to more severe consequences—such as a reduced Champions League squad or even a deduction in domestic points.
After narrowly avoiding a ban the previous year, the stakes are now higher due to repeated non-compliance.
Barcelona’s long-running financial struggles have seen them explore various strategies to regain stability.
Meanwhile, Chelsea and Aston Villa have also fallen foul of UEFA’s financial rules, though their status as first-time offenders suggests lighter penalties—most likely monetary fines.
Chelsea, in particular, topped the Premier League’s spending charts after transferring ownership of their women’s team, but UEFA rejected the deal due to the buyer being a sister company.
Both Chelsea and Villa are reportedly cooperating with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body to reach a resolution.
Chelsea clinched Champions League qualification with a dramatic final-day win, while Aston Villa—eliminated in last season’s quarter-finals—will return to the Europa League after narrowly missing out on the top four.
