Sporting and Real Betis hit with UEFA bans as governing body cracks down on Financial Fair Play

Spanish side Real Betis and Portuguese giants Sporting have been excluded from UEFA competitions as the governing body cracks down on Financial Fair Play.

As things stand the two clubs will not be allowed to compete in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League should they qualify in any of the next three seasons.

With the Covid-19 pandemic hitting football hard, UEFA has allowed clubs more leeway in complying with FFP regulations.

However, the body will crack down hard on "overdue payables" such as salary due to players or transfer fees due to clubs.

Both sides were hammered for breaching that regulation at the end of last year but lodged appeals with the Club Financial Control Body.

The panel has now announced its decisions and Sporting, one of Portugal's biggest sides, have seen their appeal thrown out.

The Lisbon giants will be banned from the next UEFA competition they qualify for unless they can prove by January 31 that they've settled a debt with another club which was due to be paid on January 15.

They've also been hit with a €250,000 fine for failing to pay what they owe.

Betis saw their appeal partially upheld for failing to pay a former employee.

They've been hit with a conditional ban and also have until the end of this month to settle their debt, but their fine is set at €150,000 with another €25,000 which will only be imposed if the money has been paid by March 22.