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Barcelona faces renewed UEFA punishment for breaching financial fair play rules again, with possible sanctions including fines, squad restrictions, or Champions League point deductions.
Barcelona is once again under investigation for violating UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) rules, according to a report from The Times. This marks the club’s second major offence in recent years, placing them at risk of more severe punishment than before.
Back in 2022, UEFA fined Barcelona €500,000 for inaccurately reporting revenue. The club counted the sale of future television rights as profit, rather than as a loss of intangible assets, which directly violated FFP guidelines. At the time, UEFA warned that repeat violations would lead to stricter penalties.
The British newspaper reports that UEFA has now launched a formal investigation into a new breach, although the exact nature of this latest offence remains undisclosed. The Spanish club also reportedly faced FFP issues in 2023, which created delays and complications in registering new players throughout the season.
Should Barcelona be found guilty again, UEFA regulations allow for three types of punishment:
- A fine heavier than the previous €500,000 penalty
- Restrictions on player registration for European competitions
- Points deduction in the Champions League group stage
A points deduction in particular could seriously impact Barcelona’s chances of progressing to the knockout rounds. While clubs like Chelsea and Aston Villa are also under investigation, Barcelona’s case is considered more serious due to their status as a repeat offender.
The club has appealed past FFP rulings, but has never won a case against UEFA. This time, the consequences may be even more damaging both on and off the pitch.