Chelsea and Barcelona, Sanctioned for Financial Misconduct
UEFA has imposed significant fines on football clubs Chelsea and Barcelona for breaching financial control regulations. Chelsea was fined 20 million euros ($23.6 million), while Barcelona will have to pay 15 million euros ($17.7 million).
Both clubs face even greater sanctions in the future if they fail to meet the financial targets set by UEFA.
Chelsea was investigated for the sale of two hotels worth £76.5 million ($104.4 million) between subsidiaries of the club’s parent company, BlueCo 22 Ltd.
The fine imposed on the London club equals the record of 20 million euros (23.6 million dollars) that UEFA imposed in 2014 on Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
In other investigations resolved on Friday, UEFA fined the financially troubled French club Lyon 12.5 million euros ($14.7 million). Future fines will depend on the fulfillment of the objectives.
The club, owned by American businessman John Textor, is fighting next week against an appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 amid its financial problems, and could be excluded by UEFA from the Europa League next season.
