Strasbourg hit with €13m UEFA fine for financial fair play | OneFootball

Strasbourg have been fined €13m by UEFA under financial fair play after a review of their accounts, with the decision delivered on Tuesday evening. The sum is roughly equal to their Europa Conference League semi-final earnings.

The sanction centres on the squad cost ratio. First team spending on wages, agent commissions and player amortisation exceeded 70 percent of revenues from matchday, broadcast and player sales.

Financial fair play also factors in the three-year average of transfer profits, so the accounts assessed stretch back to 2023. If Strasbourg fail to meet their agreed framework in 2026, a further €12m penalty will be applied.

Back in 2023 the club had just been bought by BlueCo, were beginning a rebuild and did little trading. That changed last summer when Dilane Bakwa, Mamadou Sarr and Habib Diarra were sold for a combined €80m.

This year Valentin Barco will leave, while Diego Moreira has permission to depart, and Guéla Doué, Julio Enciso and Ismaël Doukouré will be heavily courted. Sales are now essential, alongside tighter wage control, cheaper recruitment and stronger marketing income.

The club said in a statement that its squad cost ratio exceeded the UEFA threshold during a period of heavy investment and that it accepts the sanction. It added that Strasbourg remain financially solid, focused on next season and committed to long-term compliance.

Source: L'Équipe