June 04, 2025

UEFA Sanctions Loom Over Barcelona, Chelsea and Villa

Barcelona, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are all facing the prospect of UEFA sanctions ahead of the 2025/26 European campaign due to breaches of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Barcelona, fresh from a domestic treble, could face the harshest consequences, including a potential points deduction in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) group phase. The Spanish club has been sanctioned previously for financial irregularities, and recent rulings have invalidated profits from the sale of future broadcasting rights, placing them in repeated breach of FFP rules.

Another possible penalty is a reduced European squad size..

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Aston Villa are believed to be first-time offenders, and are expected to receive financial penalties. UEFA permits clubs to lose up to £170 million over a three-year period, a threshold both English sides are believed to have exceeded.

Talks with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board are ongoing, and minor squad restrictions may also be considered.

Chelsea return to the UCL after finishing fourth in the English Premier League and lifting the Conference League trophy, while Aston Villa will compete in the Europa League. All three clubs will be eager to resolve the matter swiftly to avoid starting their European campaigns at a disadvantage.

Image Credit: Source