Barcelona at risk of possible sanction from UEFA over Financial Fair Play breach | OneFootball

Barcelona could face fresh trouble in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, as they risk being sanctioned for violating Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations for a second consecutive year, according to The Times (h/t MARCA).

UEFA is reportedly preparing to announce a list of clubs that have breached its financial rules. Barcelona are expected to be on that list again, which could lead to serious consequences for the Catalan side.

While the exact punishment has not yet been confirmed, early suggestions point to two possible outcomes.

First, a restriction on the number of players the club can register for the Champions League or even a deduction of points during the group stage next season.

Barcelona already fined in 2023

It must be noted that back in 2023, UEFA fined Barcelona €500,000 for misreporting profits in the 2022 financial year.

The club appealed the decision, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the appeal in October 2023, ruling that the fine was actually a lenient punishment.

Barcelona are at risk of being fined by UEFA. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

In its ruling, the CAS clearly warned that any future violations would be met with harsher sanctions.

It stated that “a similar infringement by the club in the 2023/24 control process would constitute a case of recidivism” and that it would “be addressed by imposing a more severe disciplinary measure.”

What is the problem now?

At the heart of the dispute between UEFA and Barcelona are the controversial financial “levers” activated by club president Joan Laporta to solve the club’s economic crisis.

These include the sale of future TV rights and other club assets. UEFA, however, does not consider such sales as part of the club’s regular operating income, which has created discrepancies in the club’s reported earnings.

This fresh breach, according to The Times, means UEFA is likely to act within the next few weeks.

For Barcelona, it adds more pressure ahead of a crucial summer as they aim to rebuild under Hansi Flick while dealing with mounting financial scrutiny.