Champions League: Barcelona, Chelsea Face Points Deduction after Financial Breach
- Barcelona are facing UEFA sanctions for the second year after they reportedly breached the financial rules again
- The La Liga champions were only fined last year, with the threat of harsher action if they repeated the same offences
- Chelsea and Aston Villa are also being investigated, but the English Premier League clubs could get away with only a fine
At least three clubs are facing the threat of sanctions after it emerged they might have breached UEFA's financial rules.
Source: Getty Images
Barcelona have reportedly been found guilty of flouting the same rules for the second season running.
UEFA's financial sustainability regulations are calculated as the difference between relevant income and relevant expenses, where clubs can make losses of up to £5m. The figure can go as high as £60m, but the difference must be covered by the owners.
Barcelona are in hot water as they registered losses once again after they sold off their broadcasting rights for an estimated €400 million, and their in-house content hub.
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The Blaugrana had hoped that they could file it under 'other operating income' but have been dealt a blow by UEFA, who have ruled that 'profits on disposal of intangible assets' cannot help a club be on the right side of financial rules.
Last time, Barcelona were handed a £420,000 (approximately KSh 73 million) fine and failed in their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The sports court also directed UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) to mete out harsher disciplinary measures if the same happened next time.
The CFCB is now expected to inform Barcelona of their transgressions and possible sanctions sometime this month.
What punishments could Barcelona get from UEFA?
As the Times reports, the consequences range from a bigger fine, reduced squad size for UEFA competitions and in extreme cases, points deduction.
Any punishment handed out will be devastating to the La Liga champions, who are slowly rebuilding after a wave of near-bankruptcy as they attempt to reestablish themselves as a European elite once again.
How Barcelona performed in the Champions League this season
Barcelona haven't won the Champions League in 10 years, with Hansi Flick's side leading a memorable campaign this season, before the heartbreaking semi-final loss to Inter Milan.
The journey started with a shock loss to Monaco away in France before they recovered to win six games and draw one in their next seven games to finish second behind Barcelona.
Afterwards, they played Benfica in the Round of 16 before beating Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.
The tie vs Inter Milan was arguably the best game in Champions League history as the Italian side ran out 7-6 victors after a Davide Frattesi winner in extra time of the second leg.
A reduced squad or points deduction could hamper their attempts to win the big prize next season.
Source: Getty Images
What about Chelsea?
Chelsea is one of the two English clubs, alongside Aston Villa, who are also in UEFA's crosshairs. The case of the English teams is, however, understood not to be as dire as Barcelona's, as they are not repeat offenders and could get away with only fines.
Chelsea sold their women's team for £220 million to their sister company, hoping to use the profit to offset their books, but this is prohibited by UEFA.
The Blues have only made it back to the Champions League after two years out in the cold, and any insinuation of a points deduction could put them on the back foot.
Why Chelsea will be in a higher pot than Arsenal
In a related report, Chelsea will be ranked higher than Arsenal in next season's Champions League league phase draw. The Blues will be in Pot 1 while their London rivals will be in Pot 2.
This is despite Enzo Maresca's side finishing fourth in the Premier League and missing out on the big stage in the last two seasons. Arsenal were second in the league and have been Champions League regulars.
Both clubs qualified for next season's Champions League alongside Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United. Tottenham will join in as well after winning the Europa League.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
