Chelsea and Strasbourg slapped with hefty UEFA fines after financial breaches | OneFootball

BlueCo clubs both fell foul of squad cost rules

Under squad cost ratio (SCR) rules, European clubs competing in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League cannot spend more than 70 per cent of their income on players.

Chelsea have been dealt a £2.58million fine for breaking those rules in the 2025-26 season, £1.72m of which is conditional.

The highest fine handed out by European football's governing body for the 2025-26 campaign went to Chelsea’s BlueCo-owned sister club Strasbourg, fined £21.54m of which £10.3m was conditional.

Aston Villa were fined £19.38m, but £12.92m of it was conditional.

A UEFA statement explained: “Regarding Aston Villa FC and Chelsea FC, which had already been sanctioned in the previous season, the CFCB First Chamber took into consideration the improving trend in their squad cost ratio between 2024 and 2025 in line with projections submitted as part of their settlement agreement.

Chelsea released a statement in response, which read: “Chelsea FC can confirm that the UEFA Club Monitoring process for season 2025/26 has concluded and UEFA has today published its outcome concerning the club’s compliance position in relation the squad cost ratio for the 2025 calendar year.

“Following proactive and transparent engagement with UEFA, the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) recognised the improving trend in the club’s squad cost ratio for the 2025 calendar year.

“However, as the 70 per cent threshold for UEFA's Squad Cost Ratio was narrowly exceeded, a fine will be paid, further details of which are available on the UEFA website.”

The squad cost ratio rules applied by the Premier League is different, allowing investment in players of use to 85 per cent the income of the club.