Barcelona need to improve financial situation to avoid potential UEFA penalty – report | OneFootball

FC Barcelona’s financial reconstruction still has a long way to go.

Indeed, according to AS, the Catalans are overcoming some obstacles, but the deadlines for addressing their debts are also getting closer, making the current financial year particularly important.

As per the report, Barça still face the possibility of having to pay half of a €45 million UEFA fine, meaning €22.5 million, if their losses at the end of the 2026-27 financial year exceed €20 million.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), UEFA and Barcelona had all confirmed that the club need to improve their current negative net equity position, which stands at a negative €168 million, in order to avoid further sanctions.

This means that, contrary to previous statements from Barcelona’s vice-president for economic affairs, Ferran Olive, the €45 million UEFA sanction has not been completely resolved.

Barcelona’s relationship with UEFA has strengthened. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

At least part of it remains conditional, although the Catalans are optimistic about meeting the requirements.

The two targets

Barcelona and its vice-president had previously said publicly that the outstanding UEFA sanction had effectively been resolved through a subordinated loan.

The club had already paid €15 million in 2025, while a further amount of up to €45 million remained conditional on meeting two targets under UEFA’s financial sustainability rules.

The first target was to keep losses below €5 million for the 2025-26 season.

Failing to meet that requirement would have triggered a €22.5 million penalty, half of the €45 million conditional amount. Barcelona met that target last season, avoiding that part of the sanction.

The remaining issue is the second target: offsetting the losses that originally led UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body to sanction the Catalans.

Barça are on the right track but still need improvement. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Eliminating the losses from the three-year period

Barcelona were given three years to address them. As such, the financial results for 2026-27 will have to eliminate the losses accumulated across the 2024-27 period if they are to avoid the second part of the sanction, which could also have sporting consequences.

If the club record losses of more than €20 million, they could face not only the €22.5 million financial penalty but also encounter problems registering players.

Thanks to last season’s financial management and the early payment of €15 million, Barça secured the RFEF licence required to play in the Champions League.

Their next task is therefore to close the current financial year without breaching the remaining conditions.

Doing so would allow Barcelona to avoid the €22.5 million UEFA payment and preserve their ability to register players without further restrictions for international competitions.