Chelsea, Barcelona Fined By UEFA For Financial Rule Breaches
UEFA imposed significant financial penalties on Chelsea and Barcelona on Friday for breaching the organization's financial monitoring regulations. Chelsea were fined €20 million ($23.6 million), while Barcelona were ordered to pay €15 million ($17.7 million), as part of a broader effort to enforce financial discipline across European football.
Chelsea's total fine includes €20 million for failing to meet UEFA's break-even requirements and an additional €11 million ($13 million) for exceeding the 80% threshold on 'squad cost" — a category that includes player wages and transfer fees.
The Premier League club was also scrutinized for a £76.5 million ($104.4 million) internal transaction involving the sale of two hotels between subsidiaries of Chelsea's parent company, BlueCo 22 Ltd. Chelsea has been owned by U.S. businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital since 2022.
Barcelona Penalized for Excessive Losses
Barcelona's €15 million fine relates to excessive financial losses, as determined by UEFA's accounting assessments. The penalty is conditional on their qualification for European competitions and is aimed at encouraging fiscal stability among clubs competing at the top level.
Both Chelsea and Barcelona face the possibility of further financial penalties in upcoming seasons if they fail to meet UEFA's specified financial targets. These benchmarks are part of multi-year settlement agreements intended to guide clubs toward compliance with UEFA's financial sustainability framework.
All four clubs entered into settlement agreements with UEFA, ranging from two to four years in duration. The goal is for each club to meet the required financial targets by the end of their respective settlement periods.
Lyon Risks Exclusion from European Competition
Lyon faces an additional sanction: automatic exclusion from UEFA competitions in the 2025–26 season if the French football finance authority (DNCG) confirms the club's relegation to Ligue 2.
These measures are part of UEFA's intensified efforts to uphold financial responsibility and promote long-term sustainability within European football.
(With Reuters inputs)
First Published:
July 04, 2025, 23:25 IST
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