9 CLUBS UNDER UEFA FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY SCRUTINY AFTER 2024/2025 REVENUE REPORTS SHOW BREACHES

UEFA has turned up the heat on clubs across Europe as the 2024/25 financial year draws scrutiny under the latest Financial Fair Play (FFP) framework. nine clubs are actively being investigated, with a handful facing potential sanctions for revenue breaches, excessive spending, or historic settlement violations.

While some clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea face renewed probes for accounting practices, UEFA’s stricter cost control rules now active including the “squad cost ratio” cap the financial sustainability of clubs is more exposed than ever.

Clubs Facing Active UEFA Scrutiny

1. FC Barcelona

Barcelona remains a central figure in UEFA’s FFP monitoring due to repeated concerns over its revenue inflation tactics, especially around “levered” assets like media rights and property. Despite cutting costs post-Messi, UEFA flagged their 2024/25 report for classifying exceptional sales as regular income. As a repeat offender, Barcelona risks squad restrictions or point deductions in European competition.

2. Chelsea FC

Chelsea has spent heavily over multiple transfer windows since 2022, often using long contracts to amortize costs. However, UEFA is reportedly reviewing how the club recorded a £200 million internal transaction involving its women’s team and academy rights. Any attempt to artificially inflate revenue could lead to fines, transfer limits, or registration bans.

3. Aston Villa

The Midlands club is a first-time FFP violator, having overspent relative to its UEFA-approved break-even limit. After narrowly qualifying for European football this season, UEFA will examine whether their transfer activity violated cost ratio rules. While a heavy fine is likely, further breaches could trigger harsher action.

4. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)

PSG is again in UEFA’s crosshairs for high transfer activity, large wage bills, and suspected sponsorship inflation. Despite previous sanctions, La Liga’s complaint to UEFA over “financial doping” revived investigations. UEFA is expected to evaluate PSG’s sponsorship-linked income and cost structure in light of their failure to reduce wages.

5. Manchester City

Still appealing multiple Premier League charges, Manchester City also face UEFA’s attention. Although previously escaping a Champions League ban on appeal in 2020, UEFA is reportedly reviewing fresh disclosures that suggest inflated commercial revenues. No formal charges have been made, but scrutiny remains active.

6. AS Roma

The Italian club is under a long-term UEFA settlement agreement, originally triggered in 2022. Roma’s latest accounts show another minor breach, resulting in a conditional fine. If they fall short again in 2025–26, they risk competition restrictions or reduced European squad quotas.

7. Fenerbahçe

UEFA found the Turkish side non-compliant with FFP in prior years, resulting in a one-year European ban. While Fenerbahçe appears to have improved finances recently, they remain under periodic review. Any deviation could renew UEFA’s disciplinary measures.

 Clubs Under Financial Watch Not Yet in Breach

8. Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham recorded losses exceeding £230 million over three years. While not formally charged, their financial trajectory has raised eyebrows. UEFA is believed to be watching closely, especially as stadium debt, managerial changes, and failure to qualify for Champions League all impact revenue. A future breach could lead to FFP action if losses continue or their squad cost ratio exceeds the limit.

9. Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves)

Wolves were previously under a UEFA settlement in 2020 for overspending, resulting in squad limits. Their 2023–24 season saw heavy player sales to remain compliant, but the club is still under periodic assessment. If 2025 accounts show renewed overspending, UEFA could reimpose sanctions.

 Clubs Operating Safely Within UEFA Guidelines

10. Celtic FC

Celtic has emerged as a model for sustainable growth. With a squad cost ratio of around 46%, they fall well below UEFA’s 70% cap. Their approach to player development, prudent transfers, and consistent European qualification ensures compliance. No FFP flags have been raised in recent years.

11. Rangers FC

After a historic collapse and rebuild, Rangers have stayed financially disciplined. No current UEFA FFP concerns exist, and the club’s income-to-cost ratio remains healthy. Rangers’ biggest challenges lie in domestic competition rather than financial mismanagement.

Potential UEFA Penalties for Non-Compliance

UEFA’s FFP enforcement tools vary in severity and are determined based on the size and recurrence of each breach. These include:

• Financial fines (from €100,000 to €10 million)
• Squad registration limits (e.g., 23 players in Europe instead of 25)
• Transfer bans or net spend caps
• Suspension or disqualification from UEFA competitions
• Prize money withholding
• Points deductions (though rarely used)

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) is expected to deliver decisions during the summer audit period. Repeat offenders, particularly those already under settlements or conditions, are likely to face tougher penalties.

A Pivotal Moment in Football Finance

As UEFA continues tightening the FFP rules including the new squad cost ratio, which drops to 70% of revenue in 2025–26  clubs must evolve or face consequences. While some clubs have adapted with sound financial models, others have pushed the edge of regulation. The coming months will test the limits of UEFA’s enforcement power  and the long-term sustainability of the game’s biggest spenders.