News Focus
- Marseille must raise urgent funds through player sales before the June 30 deadline
- The club posted a massive €104 million loss during the previous season
- UEFA and French financial watchdog DNCG are monitoring the situation closely
- Risk of expulsion from all European competitions is very real
- New signings including Nayef Aguerd and Timothy Weah could be sold
French giants Olympique de Marseille are facing severe money problems. The Ligue 1 club must sell several players in an emergency sale before the end of June. This move aims to stop UEFA from banning them from European competitions.
The club has put its entire squad on the transfer list. Marseille normally depends on Champions League income to balance its books. However, they will not qualify for Europe’s top competition next season. Their best hope is reaching the Europa League group stage if they defeat Rennes.
The club lost €104 million last season. This huge debt means two watchdog groups are watching them carefully. These are the DNCG, which controls French football finances, and UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body.
Staff at Marseille’s training base, La Commanderie, fear tough punishments. They worry UEFA will kick them out of all competitions. Inside the club, workers say the crisis is worse than the problems Lyon faced under owner John Textor.
Even new players who performed well this season might leave. These stars include Nayef Aguerd, Timothy Weah, Facundo Medina, Quinten Timber and Igor Paixão. Leonardo Balerdi and Mason Greenwood are also expected to depart.
The new Sporting Director will face a massive task. They must find new players to replace those who leave.