Barca and Chelsea: Millions of penalties for violations of financial rules!

Barca and Chelsea: Millions of penalties for violations of financial rules!

Barcelona, Spanien - FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC are facing considerable financial consequences after they have violated the UEFA finance regulations. According to OE24 Chelsea was borne with a fine of 31 million euros, while Barcelona received a punishment of 15 million euros. These sanctions are part of a more comprehensive review of the financial practices of European football clubs.

Both clubs have therefore made agreements with the UEFA, which determine that they can only sign players if the transfer balance between access and exit is positive. This means that the income from sales must cover the costs for new additions. In the case of Chelsea, the club must show a positive transfer balance by at least 2027, with the possibility that this obligation will be expanded by 2029. Since Chelsea has also violated the rules in relation to "football revenue" and the squad cost rate, the fine for the club could increase up to 80 million euros, in addition to another 11 million euros for the squad cost rate.

punishment and effects on the transfer market

The measures do not only affect Chelsea and Barcelona. Other clubs such as Aston Villa, FC Porto and Olympique Lyon were also punished, which shows a wider problem in European football. According to Sportschau also have to accept these clubs. Lyon could accept an exclusion from the European Cup should meet certain conditions.

The new agreements also include financial goals for the coming years. Chelsea had used loopholes in the financial regulations in the past, including through long contracting times and the sale of assets to his own investors. Barcelona tried to improve his balance sheet through the sale of future TV rights, which was rejected by the UEFA.

new UEFA regulations on financial sustainability

The reform of the UEFA regulations, which comes into force in the 2023/24 season and will replace the previous Financial Fair Play, aims to ensure “financial sustainability” among the clubs. In the future, clubs will only be able to spend 70% of their revenue for squad costs, which is gradually introduced: 90% in the 2023/24 season, 80% in the 2024/25 season. According to SPIEGEL In addition, compensation for a deficit of up to 20 million euros per season, under certain conditions there are even another 10 million possible.

The aim of these reforms is to maintain the financial integrity of football and ensure that future transfers are also carried out as part of the economic possibilities of the clubs. Both clubs, Chelsea and Barcelona, ​​are still qualified for the Champions League 2025/26 and are therefore allowed to participate in the European competition, but must observe strict requirements in terms of their financial behavior.