UEFA Considered Banning Barcelona from Champions League, Reveals Laporta

On October 19, 2025, Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, addressed the club’s assembly where the budget for the 2025-2026 season was approved. During this session, he revealed that UEFA had considered banning Barcelona from participating in the UEFA Champions League as a response to financial fair play violations.

UEFA’s Proposed Punishments

Laporta explained that UEFA initially aimed to impose a fine of 60 million euros. However, following discussions, this penalty was reduced to 15 million euros. He emphasized that the fact that Barcelona is not a public limited company played a crucial role in persuading UEFA to lower the fines and avoid a potential Champions League ban.

Barcelona’s Financial Strategy

• The club’s projected expenditures for player salaries are set at 565 million euros (approximately 659 million dollars).
• Expected revenue from player sales or loans is estimated at 55 million euros (around 64.13 million dollars).
• Additional income of 226 million euros (approximately 263.5 million dollars) is anticipated from the return to Spotify Camp Nou.

Laporta stated that the budget was created with caution and reflects the club’s current realities. He is optimistic that they will not only meet but exceed these projections.

Expanding Barcelona’s Global Influence

During the assembly, Laporta also discussed the decision to play a match against Villarreal in Miami. He highlighted the importance of expanding Barcelona’s brand internationally and generating additional revenue. Such initiatives, he noted, would benefit not only Barcelona but also La Liga and other teams financially.

Future Transfer Plans

Sports director Deco weighed in on potential transfer activity, indicating that there are currently no plans to acquire new players during the winter transfer window. He mentioned that no players have requested to leave, suggesting stability within the squad. However, Deco remains open to adjustments if circumstances change.

Insights from the Assembly

The assembly lasted over 11 hours, during which Laporta shared humorous anecdotes. He mentioned a light-hearted exchange with Hansi Flick, commenting on his gesture after a recent match. Despite the lengthy discussions, the overall focus remained on solidifying Barcelona’s financial future and strengthening its position in the football world.