UEFA’s financial control body has punished Marseille for repeated financial fair play violations over the last three years. The French club had been warned that it could be banned from European competition after running a transfer balance deficit of about €60 million over that period.
Instead of an immediate continental ban, UEFA allowed Marseille to play this season in the Europa League, which it qualified for through its league finish. The compromise comes with a heavy financial penalty: Marseille must pay a €10 million fine.
UEFA also required the club to make another attempt to bring spending and income into balance. If Marseille fails to do that, the more severe punishment, exclusion from European competitions, will be applied next season.