Barcelona face points deduction threat after breaching UEFA financial rules for second straight year - with Chelsea & Aston Villa also in hot water

The La Liga giants could also be forced to name a smaller squad for the competition as a range of punishments are considered, report The Times. The club have been submerged in financial crisis for several years and are set to be punished on the European stage.

Barca have been finding ways to get round their money issues, including selling 10% of their broadcasting rights for the next 25 years for €267 million in 2022. They later sold another 15% of the rights for €400m, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled that these profits cannot be included in FFP calculations, hence the breaches.

The Times adds that Chelsea and Aston Villa may also face sanctions, though theirs will be less severe considering it is only their first offence. Clubs in UEFA competitions are only allowed to lose £170m over three years and both English sides are set to be hit with fines for not adhering to the rules.

Barcelona will be among the favourites for the Champions League next season having been beaten by Inter this year in a classic semi-final, even if they have to start the league phase with a points deduction. Enzo Maresca's Chelsea, who finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Conference League in 2024-25, will also be in the competition, while Aston Villa have qualified for the Europa League.