UEFA are set to meet later this month
Paris-Saint Germain could face punishment from UEFA after their carefree spending last summer. Even by their standards, the French club splashed the cash like never before, having been knocked off top spot in Ligue 1 by Monaco.
The opportunistic signing of Neymar from Barcelona more than doubled the previous world record transfer set by Paul Pogba’s £89m move to Manchester United the previous summer.
PSG also signed wonderkid Kylian Mbappé from French champions Monaco on loan – nothing fishy about that – with an option to buy him for €166m after this season.
UEFA will meet later this month to discuss any possible breaches of Financial Fair Play rules on PSG’s part in these two transfers.
The pair have lit up Ligue 1 playing alongside Édinson Cavani up front at the Parc de Princes, but at no small cost. Neymar and Mbappé’s wages are reported to be costing PSG £35m per year combined.
Financial Fair Play works in three year cycles, and clubs can be punished if they make losses of more than £26m over that three year period.
Possible sanctions could include a fine or being banned from the Champions League, if they are found guilty.
PSG – who are owned by the state-funded Qatar Sports Investments – have previous for breaching FFP rules, having been fined €60m in 2014.
I response to reports, PSG have issued a statement:
“Paris Saint-Germain finds it deplorable that, only a few days before a regular meeting scheduled with UEFA, false information targeting the club has been reported in the British press.
“Paris Saint-Germain reminds the media that the club has been closely monitored by UEFA for four years following the settlement signed by both parties in 2014.
“As a result of this, the European body has a very clear and transparent view of the club’s financial status, especially with regards to multi-year contracts with club partners.
“Paris Saint-Germain is in continuous communication with UEFA and the club will go to UEFA as usual in full transparency on April 20.”
