Barcelona, Aston Villa, Chelsea among clubs fined by UEFA for breaching financial fair play rules
UEFA said the clubs had not complied with its football earnings rule, while Chelsea and Villa were also penalized for breaching the squad cost rule laid by the governing body
Chelsea, Barcelona and Aston Villa were among several clubs fined by UEFA on Friday for breaching European football's financial sustainability requirements.
UEFA said the clubs had not complied with its football earnings rule. Chelsea and Villa were also penalized for breaching the squad cost rule.
Chelsea were ordered to pay a fine of €31 million for the two breaches.
They could have to pay an additional €60 million if they fail to comply by the end of a four-year period as part of a settlement agreement. The Blues have spent the most money of any club in Europe since a consortium led by US businessman Todd Boehly bought the Premier League giants in 2022.
Barcelona incurred a fine of €15 million, with a further €45 million conditional on a two-year settlement agreement. Villa must pay €11 million and risk a further fine of €15 million if they breach the terms of their three-year deal.
French club Lyon have agreed to be excluded from European competition if their relegation to Ligue 2 on financial grounds is confirmed. They were also fined €12.5 million.
A UEFA statement also revealed Sporting Disciplinary Measures against the two teams.
These include both clubs not being allowed to register new players on their A List to UEFA Club competitions unless they have a positive transfer balance.
UEFA's statement indicates both Chelsea could be under scrutiny of this agreement for four years, while Villa are under the microscope of three.
A Chelsea statement on the decision said: "Chelsea FC has entered into a settlement agreement with UEFA concerning a break even deficit reported by the club under UEFA’s Financial Sustainability Regulations covering the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
"The club has also agreed to pay a fine as a result of the club’s squad cost ratio in the 2024 reporting year being between 80% and 90%.
Overall, nine clubs were hit with punishments in the disciplinary findings, including Barcelona, Lyon, Porto, Panathinaikos and Besiktas.
Only two, Roma and Istanbul Basaksehir, were found to have breached previous settlement agreements.
