• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Law

La Liga Accuses PSG, Manchester City of Financial Foul Play

  • La Liga has accused Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City of breaking Financial Fair Play rules.
  • The league filed complaints with UEFA against both clubs.
Manchester-City-PSG
UEFA Champions League

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have secured some of the world’s top soccer stars — and La Liga is claiming the numbers don’t add up.

The top Spanish soccer league filed a complaint with UEFA against Paris Saint-Germain this week after lodging a similar one against Manchester City in April, alleging both “are in continuous breach of the current Financial Fair Play rules.”

The rules introduce spending limits on teams based on revenue.

  • PSG’s 2021-22 payroll was an eye-popping $448 million, per Capology, led by Kylian Mbappé ($94.4 million), Lionel Messi ($66.1 million), and Neymar ($58.6 million). 
  • City’s was a more contained $179.9 million, but is likely to rise after the club brought in Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund on a $62.3 million transfer fee.

“La Liga understands that the irregular financing of these clubs is carried out either through direct injections of money or through sponsorship and other contracts that do not correspond to market conditions and do not make economic sense,” La Liga noted.

Middle East Money

Both clubs have attracted scrutiny for their ownership. PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investments, a subsidiary of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund. City is owned by United Arab Emirates prime minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan through his Abu Dhabi United Group.

La Liga referred to them as “state clubs” in its announcement.

Both owners have access to vast sums of wealth but have been accused of sportswashing by human rights groups.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chelsea Wins $110M in FIFA’s Revamped $1B Club World Cup

Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain in Sunday’s final match.
Crystal Palace FC

Crystal Palace’s Europa League Spot in Limbo After Lyon Wins Appeal

The ruling on Olympique Lyonnais was overturned this week on appeal.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Princeton

Transgender Sprinter Sues Princeton Over Last-Minute Ban

The sprinter was removed 15 minutes before her race.
Caster Semenya
July 10, 2025

Caster Semenya’s Legal Win Could Reopen Fight Against Testosterone Limits

The Olympian champion’s appeal against gender eligibility rules continues.
July 16, 2025

Judge Rules for NFL, Fanatics Against Small Apparel Seller

The lawsuit argued the NFL “aids and abets” Fanatics with its strategy.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
A set of trading cards
July 9, 2025

Judge Rules Against Fanatics as Panini Case Gets Rancorous

A judge ordered Fanatics to turn over unredacted trading card licenses.
May 9, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Sports are shown on TVs behind the bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in the Short North. Though there are no on-site betting windows, eligible customers can place bets through the DraftKings app.
July 3, 2025

PrizePicks Drops Suit Against Ex-Employee Who Left for DraftKings

The ex-employee still disputes the allegations.
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.