Barcelona narrowly avoided a Champions League ban
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has made a startling disclosure that UEFA had contemplated excluding the Catalan club from the Champions League due to their repeated violations of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Although the club was ultimately fined €15 million for a second consecutive infraction, Laporta emphasized that the consequences could have been significantly harsher if not for rigorous discussions with UEFA officials.
UEFA’s initial intention to exclude Barcelona from Europe’s elite competition
During Barcelona’s Ordinary General Assembly, Laporta revealed that UEFA initially sought to impose a severe sporting penalty. The club had already faced a €500,000 fine earlier in 2024, but the subsequent breach raised serious alarms within UEFA’s leadership.
“UEFA aimed to prevent us from participating in the next season’s Champions League,” Laporta stated. He further explained, “Because Barcelona is not a public limited company and cannot increase capital, we used this argument to negotiate a reduction in the fines from €60 million down to €15 million. They also wanted to bar us from the upcoming Champions League season.”
Laporta credited the club’s legal and financial teams for successfully averting what would have been a crippling sporting sanction.
Being excluded from the Champions League would have exacerbated Barcelona’s already fragile financial situation, which has been strained by years of excessive spending, deferred player wages, and limited transfer activity.
Concerns over the upcoming U.S. fixture
Aside from the UEFA issues, Laporta also addressed the club’s controversial decision to play their La Liga match against Villarreal in the United States-a move that has sparked debate within the club’s leadership. While acknowledging the challenges of traveling mid-season, Laporta admitted that the financial incentives made the trip unavoidable.
“We are not thrilled about taking the team so far away, but as former president Gaspart said, it is essential to generate unconventional revenue,” Laporta explained. “Expanding our brand in international markets has attracted more sponsorships. The U.S. is a growing market, especially with the upcoming World Cup being hosted there, so this is a valuable opportunity to enhance our presence.”
Laporta also mentioned that sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick share concerns about player fatigue but recognize the financial rationale behind the decision.
“Players travel to Saudi Arabia to earn income that wouldn’t otherwise be available. The same applies to Miami,” he noted. “While La Liga as a whole benefits, the clubs involved-Barça and Villarreal-stand to gain the most.”