The 2024/25 campaign was undoubtedly a successful one for Barcelona. The Catalan side won the La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and reached the semi-final of the Champions League. With exciting young talents like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi and Pedri on the books, the future is looking promising for the club.
They face a setback next season, though, with possible UEFA sanctions on the cards for the side. They aren't the only team at risk, though, with two Premier League clubs also potentially facing them, according to a report. Why are they facing possible sanctions, though?
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Barcelona Are Facing a Possible Points Deduction
Chelsea and Aston Villa are also at risk of punishment
According to a report from the Times, Barcelona will head into next season's Champions League, hoping to go one further than this time around, making it to the final, with a possible sanction hanging over their heads. A points deduction is potentially on the cards for the Catalan club. They aren't the only side facing punishment, though, with two Premier League sides also at risk. Chelsea and Aston Villa are also potentially looking at sanctions.
The three teams are all on track to breach financial fair play rules and it will be the second time recently that Barcelona have done so, with issues in the 2023/24 season too. They were fined €500,000 at the time, but UEFA are expected to clamp down on Hansi Flick's side with a harsher punishment this time. The Blues have spent freely since Todd Boehly bought the club, but will potentially face the repercussions for that now that they've made it back into the Champions League. Enzo Maresca's men finished fourth, while also winning the Europa Conference League. They've returned to the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season, but will potentially start their return with a disadvantage.
Aston Villa missed out on Champions League football on the last day of the Premier League season, with a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Manchester United. They'll compete in the Europa League instead after finishing sixth. They'll be considered one of the favourites to win the whole tournament, but will potentially start the competition with a setback as they also face punishment from UEFA for breaching financial fair play rules. The two English clubs are said to be in talks with UEFA's Club Financial Control Board over a financial settlement.