Barcelona had a successful run in the 2024-25 Champions League season, making it to the semi-finals before being eliminated by Inter. However, achieving similar success in the upcoming season might prove more challenging due to the club`s ongoing and well-publicized financial difficulties.
It is widely known that Barcelona has been grappling with financial issues for some time, and efforts to rectify the situation have not yet yielded sufficient results. These financial struggles notably caused registration issues last season, affecting players like Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in the latter half of the campaign. Now, these problems are set to have consequences for their participation in the Champions League as well.
Barcelona Breaches UEFA Financial Rules for the Second Time
Barcelona has violated UEFA`s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations for the second consecutive year. Following their first breach in 2024, the club was fined €500,000. This latest infringement is expected to result in a more significant penalty, likely impacting their sporting operations directly.
UEFA is anticipated to announce the specifics regarding the sanctions in the coming weeks. While other Premier League clubs, Chelsea and Aston Villa, have also reportedly breached UEFA`s FFP rules, their penalties are expected to be less severe than Barcelona`s, as it is their first offence.
Although the exact punishment for Barcelona remains unconfirmed, possibilities include a reduced squad size for the next Champions League season. This would mean head coach Hansi Flick would have fewer than the standard 25 players available. Another potential consequence is a points deduction, which could see the Catalan side begin the league phase with a negative point tally.
