Chelsea and Aston Villa have been sanctioned by UEFA for breaching its financial regulations, with both clubs facing fines and potential restrictions on player registrations for European competitions.
UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) found both Premier League clubs guilty of exceeding financial limits set under the governing body’s football earnings rule and surpassing the permitted squad cost ratio, where more than 80% of club income was spent on wages.
As a result, Chelsea have been fined €31 million (£26.7 million), with an additional €60 million (£51.2 million) fine suspended and dependent on compliance with financial rules over the next four years. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have been handed an €11 million (£9.5 million) fine, with a further €15 million (£12.9 million) suspended, contingent on their financial conduct over the next three years.
Both clubs must now achieve a positive net transfer balance by the end of the current summer transfer window or risk being barred from registering new players in UEFA competitions for the upcoming season. Chelsea are due to compete in the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, while Aston Villa are set for a Europa League campaign.
In response to the ruling, Chelsea released a statement emphasizing their cooperation:
“The club has worked closely and transparently with UEFA to provide a full and detailed breakdown of its financial reporting, which indicates that the financial performance of the club is on a strong upwards trajectory. Chelsea FC greatly values its relationship with UEFA and considered it important to bring this matter to a swift conclusion by entering into a settlement agreement.”
The CFCB clarified that revenues from the sale of assets, whether tangible or intangible, as well as income from player swaps or transfers between related entities, cannot be counted in UEFA’s financial submissions.
Chelsea had reported a pre-tax profit of £128.4 million in June 2024, a figure that included the £200 million sale of their women’s team to a separate BlueCo-owned entity, as well as the sale of two club-owned hotels to a sister company. These transactions, while compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), do not align with UEFA’s stricter standards.
Aston Villa are also reportedly considering the sale of their women’s team to ensure PSR compliance.
So far this summer, Chelsea have spent around £150 million on five new signings, while Villa have not yet made any major acquisitions.
The UEFA ruling also affected other European clubs. Barcelona were fined €15 million (£13 million), and French side Lyon received a €12.5 million (£10.7 million) fine. Notably, Lyon agreed to accept exclusion from European competition if their appeal against relegation to Ligue 2, following domestic financial breaches, is unsuccessful.
The sanctions could also have wider implications. Crystal Palace’s participation in the Europa League could be in jeopardy due to potential multi-club ownership violations. The issue stems from American investor John Textor’s stake in both Crystal Palace and Lyon, which may breach UEFA’s ownership rules.