UEFA has banned four football clubs from playing in the Champions League in the past.
The Champions League is known as the top club competition in European football.
Real Madrid, from Spain’s La Liga, is the most successful team in the tournament. They have won the trophy 15 times.
In England, Liverpool has the most Champions League titles. They have won it six times.
Below is a list of the clubs banned from Europe’s top competition:
Beşiktaş (Turkey) – One-year ban
In 2013, Beşiktaş qualified for the group stage but were disqualified for match-fixing in domestic games. Tromsø, the team they beat in qualifying, took their place.
Appeal to CAS: Rejected.
Fenerbahçe (Turkey) – Two-year ban
Also in 2013, Turkish rivals Fenerbahçe received a two-year UEFA ban for their role in the same match-fixing scandal.
Impact: Major hit to their European and financial ambitions.
Juventus (Italy) – One-year ban (2023/24)
Juventus were banned for breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, not match-fixing. UEFA removed them from all competitions for the 2023/24 season.
Previous UEFA titles: 1985, 1996.
FK Pobeda (North Macedonia) – Eight-year ban
In 2009, UEFA banned Pobeda for match manipulation in a 2004 qualifier.
Result: 8-year suspension; lifetime bans for the club president and a player.
Ban lifted: 2017.
