UEFA has imposed significant fines on Chelsea and Barcelona for violating its financial regulations, with Chelsea ordered to pay €20 million and Barcelona €15 million. Both clubs risk additional penalties in the coming seasons if they fail to meet UEFA’s set financial targets.
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Chelsea’s fine stems from a €76.5 million (£76.5m / $104.4m) transaction involving the sale of two hotels between subsidiaries of the club’s parent company, BlueCo 22 Ltd. The penalty equals the record €20 million fine handed to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in 2014 under the financial fair play (FFP) framework.
Barcelona, too, was found to have breached financial compliance measures, though details of their violation were not fully disclosed.
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In a related development, financially embattled French club Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) has been fined €12.5 million by UEFA. Additional fines are conditional upon the club’s ability to meet financial goals. Lyon, owned by American businessman John Textor, is currently appealing a decision that could see them relegated from France’s Ligue 1 due to ongoing financial instability. Their participation in next season’s UEFA Europa League remains uncertain.
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