Barca once faced the risk of being eliminated from the Champions League.

President Joan Laporta acknowledged that the team was at risk of Champions League exclusion following UEFA's threat of penalties for violating financial fair play rules.

Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, revealed that the club was genuinely at risk of being banned from the Champions League. This was due to financial misconduct. The Catalan club broke UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules for two consecutive seasons and had to pay a 15 million Euro fine after the first violation in 2024.

The threat of a ban forced Barca into intense negotiations with UEFA to avoid punishment. The current management inherited a club struggling financially under Josep Maria Bartomeu’s tenure, burdened with heavy debts and strict La Liga regulations. The use of “financial levers,” which drew UEFA’s scrutiny, was a key factor in helping Barca navigate this difficult period.

During the General Assembly meeting, Laporta disclosed that employing financial instruments almost led to the club being banned from the Champions League for a year. He had to negotiate directly with UEFA to prevent sanctions, as these measures were necessary to address the financial situation inherited by the club.

“UEFA wanted to punish us by excluding us from next season’s Champions League. Barcelona’s status as a non-corporate entity and inability to raise capital was among the arguments that helped reduce the fine from 60 million to 15 million. They also intended to ban the team from competing next season,” Laporta explained.

He also defended the use of “financial levers,” emphasizing that the goal was to stabilize the club and prevent a mass departure of members. “These tools are designed to control cash flow and stabilize the situation; essentially, they are not capital increases but asset transfers over a set period that will be recovered later.”

This strategy demonstrates Barca’s balance between complying with regulations and meeting practical needs. Thanks to this cautious plan, the club avoided the harshest penalties and ensured eligibility for European competitions despite operating under difficult financial conditions.

After overcoming the threat of a Champions League ban, Barca could fully focus on the pitch. Following a 2-1 victory over Girona,the team trails Real Madrid by only two points. Upcoming challenges include a Champions League match against Olympiacos and a highly tense El Clasico.

Financially, Laporta aims for a balanced budget with a 1:1 ratio of income to expenses and to build a sustainable model for player acquisitions and salary payments. Strategically, Blaugrana must stay competitive while complying with FFP, ensuring past mistakes do not jeopardize their future in European tournaments.

Related articles

Barca finalizes a list of 3 forwards to replace Robert Lewandowski According to SPORT, Barcelona has begun searching for a new striker for the summer of 2026, as the club is unlikely to renew Robert Lewandowski’s contract. See more