Barcelona have been hit with a fine of €15 million by UEFA over a breach of Financial Fair Play regulations, it has been confirmed.

The fine comes in lieu of Barça’s financial activities dating back to 2022, when they activated the infamous ‘economic levers’, selling a number of club assets to generate revenue, such as the TV rights.

These moves helped the club post a positive balance for the 2022/23 season. While La Liga accepted these deals as valid financial operations, UEFA did not. 

The European football governing body did not recognise revenue generated by these means as ‘operating income’.

As such, Barça were facing major sanctions worth around €60 million, but following discussions between UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Barça chief Joan Laporta, the unconditional fine has been set at €15 million.

Their most recent meeting took place this past Wednesday in Switzerland. During the talks, Laporta reportedly emphasised the efforts Barcelona had made to comply with La Liga’s financial regulations, which differ from those of UEFA.

Meanwhile, other clubs like Chelsea, AS Roma, Aston Villa and Olympique Lyon are also facing fines from UEFA.

The UEFA statement issued through the First Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), chaired by Sunil Gulati, reads:

“HNK Hajduk Split, Aston Villa FC, Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais have all reached agreements with the CFCB for a period of 2, 3 or 4 years. The duration of each agreement depends on the clubs’ ability to comply with the Regulations within a specific timeframe.

“The clubs’ ultimate goal is to be fully compliant with the football revenue rule by the end of the settlement period (i.e. in the 2026/27 season for a period of 2 years, in the 2027/28 season for a period of 3 years, in the 2028/29 season for a period of 4 years).”

Source: Mundo Deportivo