News Focus
- Olympique de Marseille could receive new penalties from UEFA
- The French club lost nearly €157 million over three seasons
- UEFA rules allow maximum losses of €60 million during this period
- Possible punishments include fines, squad limits, or bans from European competitions
- UEFA’s financial control body will announce its decision later this month
Olympique de Marseille are in serious trouble with European football officials. The French club broke the terms of a financial agreement they signed with UEFA in 2022.
UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body made a deal with Marseille two years ago. The club paid a €2 million fine and promised to fix their finances. This was to avoid harsher punishments for earlier Financial Fair Play breaches.
However, new reports show Marseille’s money problems have become much worse. The club lost almost €157 million over three seasons. They posted deficits of €12.7 million in 2022-23, €39.1 million in 2023-24, and a huge €105 million in 2024-25.
UEFA rules allow clubs to lose a maximum €60 million across three years. Shareholders must cover at least €55 million of this amount. Marseille’s losses are nearly triple the permitted limit.
French football officials received these numbers from the club. Several sources now believe Marseille have broken their settlement agreement with UEFA.
The club plans to defend their position. They will say that television income in France has fallen a lot. UEFA has shown mercy to clubs facing unusual economic problems before. However, officials may not accept this excuse.
The Club Financial Control Body will announce its decision later this month. Minor breaches could result in more fines or limits on new player registrations. The club might also face restrictions on squad sizes for European matches.
Serious violations could bring severe sporting sanctions. Marseille might lose their place in future European competitions completely.