UEFA could exclude Marseille from Europa League amid growing financial concerns | OneFootball

Olympique de Marseille could face severe sanctions from UEFA, including exclusion from next season’s Europa League, as European football’s governing body examines the club’s worsening financial position.

As first reported by L’Équipe, Marseille are struggling to comply with the settlement agreement they signed with UEFA in 2022. At the time, the club received a relatively lenient punishment, including a €2m fine, after breaching Financial Fair Play regulations. In exchange, Marseille committed to returning their finances to acceptable levels under UEFA’s sustainability rules.

However, the club has failed to reverse its losses. According to figures published by France’s financial watchdog, the DNCG, Marseille have accumulated almost €157m in net losses over the last three seasons. Those losses have steadily increased from €12.7m in 2022/23 to €39.1m in 2023/24 before ballooning to €105m in 2024/25.UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body met in Nyon on Tuesday to review clubs currently operating under settlement agreements. Whilst Paris Saint-Germain are not believed to be at risk and Olympique Lyonnais are not expected to face major sanctions, Marseille are reportedly viewed as one of the most concerning cases.

The club has attempted to justify part of its financial deterioration by pointing to the collapse of French domestic television rights revenues. Marseille hope UEFA will take the exceptional circumstances affecting French football into account when assessing their case.

A recent audit conducted by financial advisory firm Tifosy Capital also appears to have heightened concerns within the club. The report highlighted a number of issues, including a substantial wage bill, high operating costs and further spending commitments in the near future.GFFN | George Boxall