UE Santa Coloma Faces UEFA Licence Loss Over Unpaid Debts Despite Strong League Standing

UE Santa Coloma faces UEFA licence uncertainty amid unpaid debts and federation scrutiny, despite strong league position.

The Andorran club from Santa Coloma de Gràcia risks exclusion from next season's UEFA competitions over alleged non-payments to players, suppliers, and public entities like Parapública. It currently sits near second in the Lliga Multisegur Assegurances, a spot that grants entry to the Conference League preliminary round.

Reports indicate UE Santa Coloma failed the initial financial audit, preventing its application from reaching the firm that conducts preliminary validation ahead of UEFA's final approval. The process reviews full-season accounts and should conclude shortly. Sources also highlight debts as of 31 March, a key deadline for proving payments are up to date.

New financial disclosures for 2025 reveal the club's personnel expenses totalled €588,611.36, contributing to a net loss of €355,515.34. For comparison, rivals FC Santa Coloma spent €943,065.91 on players and technical staff, ending with a €59,984.73 deficit, while league leaders Inter d'Escaldes allocated €1,081,688.25 to salaries—mostly players at €975,792.68—resulting in €289,083.71 losses despite €1.5 million in revenues, largely from UEFA solidarity payments.

Tensions have risen over perceived leniency from the Andorran Football Federation (FAF). Clubs like UE Santa Coloma, Atlètic Escaldes, and Rangers reportedly owe money to the CASS social security body, players, and suppliers as of 31 March. Sources claim the FAF has manoeuvred to aid UE Santa Coloma's licence bid despite these issues, sparking anger among other teams that complied strictly. Suppliers have flagged unpaid sums in the thousands of euros and plan legal action by mid-June, when clubs must prove debt-free status by 30 June.

Should UE Santa Coloma lose its licence, FC Santa Coloma (third) or Rangers (fourth) would take the European place, with both potentially qualifying if FC Santa Coloma wins the Copa Constitució. The outcome holds even if UE Santa Coloma passes audits but drops below second after Sunday's game against Esperança.

The club also battles a legal row with its former manager. Current leaders claim a promised Sant Julià de Lòria hotel—linked to the handover—was undelivered, while the ex-official says he received no agreed payments and never claimed the property. As an association frequently changing hands via informal investor deals, UE Santa Coloma's ownership shifts mid-season have fuelled further controversy. Authorities have yet to comment on the federation's role or final audit results.