4 Clubs That Were Banned from the UEFA Champions League

4 Clubs That Were Banned from the UEFA Champions League

For clubs across Europe, qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is the ultimate reward — a shot at continental glory, massive financial windfalls, and global recognition. But for a few, that dream has come crashing down not because they lost on the pitch, but due to scandals and serious rule violations.

While most teams fall short due to performance, these four were kicked out of Europe’s elite competition as punishment. Here’s a look at the clubs that got booted off the big stage by UEFA.

1. Beşiktaş (Turkey) – One Year Ban
In 2013, Beşiktaş successfully advanced through the Champions League qualifying rounds, eliminating Norwegian club Tromsø in the process. But their journey ended abruptly when UEFA handed them a one-year suspension over domestic match-fixing allegations.

The club appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the decision was upheld. Tromsø, the team they had defeated, was reinstated into the competition.

Interesting fact: No Turkish club has ever lifted the Champions League trophy. Galatasaray’s 2000 UEFA Cup victory remains the country’s biggest continental success.

2. Fenerbahçe (Turkey) – Two Year Ban
Fenerbahçe, another major Turkish side, was implicated in the same match-fixing scandal. In 2013, UEFA imposed a two-year ban from all European competitions. Despite a legal challenge, the ban was enforced.

The suspension was a significant setback for the club’s continental ambitions and highlighted growing concerns around corruption in Turkish football during that era.

3. Juventus (Italy) – Banned for Financial Misconduct
Juventus is no stranger to scandal, having been relegated in 2006 for their role in the Calciopoli affair. But their 2023 Champions League exclusion stemmed from something different , Financial Fair Play breaches.

UEFA banned the club from all continental competitions for the 2023/24 season, making it clear that financial integrity is just as important as results on the pitch. The Italian giants, who have won the Champions League twice, were left on the sidelines as a warning to others.

4. FK Pobeda (North Macedonia) – Eight Year Ban
Little-known FK Pobeda holds the record for the longest Champions League-related suspension. In 2009, UEFA banned the club for eight years after an investigation found evidence of match-fixing in a 2004 qualifying game against Armenian side FC Pyunik.

The probe revealed suspicious betting activity, and UEFA responded harshly. Club president Aleksandar Zabrcanec and player Nikolce Zdraveski received lifetime bans from football. Pobeda’s club ban ended in 2017.

These cases serve as a powerful reminder that no matter how big or small a club may be, UEFA’s disciplinary hammer can fall hard when the rules are broken.