Chelsea and Aston Villa have both been penalized by UEFA for violating the governing body's financial regulations. Chelsea has been fined €31 million (£26.7 million), with the possibility of an additional €60 million (£51.2 million) fine if the club fails to comply with the regulations over the next four years. Aston Villa has received a €11 million (£9.5 million) fine, which could rise to €15 million (£12.9 million) if they do not adhere to compliance measures within a three-year timeframe.

The sanctions stem from breaches of UEFA's financial rules, specifically regarding the proportion of income allocated to wages, which for both clubs exceeded the allowed threshold of 80%. As a result of these fines, both clubs could face restrictions on registering new players for UEFA competitions unless they achieve a positive transfer balance by the end of the summer transfer window.

Chelsea is preparing to compete in the Champions League for the 2025-26 season, while Aston Villa will participate in the Europa League. In their statements, both clubs expressed their commitment to working closely with UEFA to address the financial issues. Chelsea highlighted their financial performance as being on an upward trajectory, while Aston Villa is reportedly looking into selling their women's team to meet financial regulations.

In the broader context, other clubs have also faced fines for similar breaches, including Barcelona and Lyon. The situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny of financial practices within European football, particularly as clubs navigate the complexities of profitability and player wages.