UEFA Fines Roma €2M, Threatens Basaksehir with Ban in Finance Rulings

UEFA has imposed a fine of 2 million euros ($2.22 million) on Roma and warned Istanbul Basaksehir of a potential one-year ban from European competitions. Basaksehir also faces a fine of 100,000 euros ($111,000). These penalties were announced by club finance investigators on Friday.

Financial Penalties for Clubs

Aston Villa and Marseille were fined 60,000 euros ($66,500) and 20,000 euros ($22,100) respectively for late submission of financial accounts. Aston Villa is set to participate in the Champions League this season, which could earn them at least 40 million euros ($44 million) in UEFA prize money. Marseille, having been fined by UEFA in 2022, did not qualify for any UEFA competition after reaching the Europa League semifinals last season.

UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) system was introduced in 2009 to ensure financial stability among top European football clubs by monitoring their revenue and expenditure. The system was revised two years ago and renamed "Financial Sustainability." Critics argue that it restricts investment from wealthy owners of emerging teams while failing to deter state-backed clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Compliance with Financial Rules

Last season, UEFA mandated that clubs spend no more than 90% of their revenue on wages and transfer fees. This "squad cost rule" is being gradually reduced over three seasons to a 70% limit. "All clubs reported a squad cost ratio within the 90% limit applicable for the 2023-24 season," UEFA stated.

Roma exceeded its intermediate financial target slightly and was fined accordingly. Roma will compete in the Europa League this season, potentially earning tens of millions of euros in UEFA prize money. Similarly, Basaksehir breached its final financial target last season and faces restrictions unless it meets new financial targets. The Turkish club can only register 23 senior players instead of the usual 25 in the Conference League this season.

PSG, Inter Milan, and AC Milan were among clubs previously fined but met financial targets last season, according to UEFA. The monitoring panel noted that Basaksehir "slightly breached the final target foreseen" last season. If Basaksehir qualifies for any UEFA competition in the next three seasons but fails to comply with new financial targets, it will be barred from participating.

The revised financial regulations aim to promote sustainable spending among clubs while ensuring competitive balance in European football. Despite criticism, UEFA continues to enforce these rules to maintain financial discipline across its competitions.