Why Rangers Face a Potential UEFA Champions League Ban Next Season
Rangers FC, one of Scotland’s football giants, is at risk of being banned from the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League due to breaches of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. The club’s financial troubles, stemming from significant losses, have raised red flags with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body, potentially jeopardizing their participation in Europe’s premier competition.
UEFA’s FFP rules stipulate that clubs must not exceed losses of €5m (£4.265m) over a three-year period to secure a license for European competitions. Rangers’ financial statements reveal losses far exceeding this threshold, exacerbated by legal disputes, including a £1m claim from Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct for an alleged contract breach. The club’s failure to pass a special resolution at their recent AGM to raise fresh funds through new shares further strained their financial position, limiting their ability to comply with UEFA’s requirements.
In 2016, Rangers faced similar scrutiny, with UEFA warning that further losses could lead to a ban from European competitions. The precedent set by Galatasaray’s exclusion from 2016 to 2018 for FFP violations underscores the severity of UEFA’s enforcement. Rangers’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, where they aim to compete after a strong domestic campaign, hinge on securing special dispensation from UEFA or drastically reducing their financial deficit before the licensing deadline.
Adding to their woes, Rangers have faced UEFA sanctions for non-financial issues, including a recent €30,000 fine and a suspended closure of the Copland Stand for a discriminatory banner displayed during a Europa League match against Fenerbahce. While this incident doesn’t directly impact their FFP standing, it highlights ongoing compliance challenges for the club.
Rangers’ manager, Russel Martin, and the board are reportedly working to address the financial shortfall, potentially through player sales or external investment. However, without swift action, the club risks missing out on the £30m prize of Champions League qualification. Fans are left anxious as the club navigates this critical juncture, with their European aspirations hanging in the balance.
