Manchester United slapped with heavy fine by UEFA over FFP breach

Manchester United have been fined €300,00 (£256,785) UEFA for breaching Financial Fair Play rules, UEFA have announced. Turkish side Konyaspor and Cypriot outfit APOEL FS have also been hit with fines.

In a statement, UEFA said: “During the 2022/23 season the CFCB First Chamber, chaired by Sunil Gulati, concluded the assessment of the break-even requirement covering the financial years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

“This is the last time the CFCB assessed the clubs on the basis of the “old” Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, Edition 2018.

“Manchester United FC (ENG), Konyaspor (TUR) and APOEL FC (CYP) reported minor break-even deficits. These clubs were fined respectively with €300,000, €100,000 and €100,000.”

Barcelona were also issued a fine of £427,856 (€500,000) for wrongly reporting, in the financial year 2022, profits on disposal of intangible assets – besides player transfers – which are not a relevant income under the regulations.

The news will come as a significant blow to United as Erik ten Hag is already working with a restricted budget at Old Trafford to comply with FFP guidelines. The Dutchman is desperate to welcome several new signings to his ranks this summer, though Mason Mount is the only player to arrive through the door at this stage.

United are currently in advanced talks with Inter Milan over a move for Andre Onana, and an agreement for the ex-Ajax star is largely cited as imminent and all parties are confident that a deal will be reached soon. Ten Hag highlighted the Cameroon international as the ideal candidate for both the short and long-term future due to his ability to play out from the back, which former shot-stopper David de Gea struggled with.

The Red Devils are also in the market for a No 9 to lead the line for the club next season, with the squad lacking firepower in the final third. Ten Hag plugged the hole in his squad by acquiring Wout Weghorst on loan in January, though he now is keen to welcome a marquee striker of his own to the club.

Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund has plenty of admirers at the Theatre of Dreams but his valuation (£85million) is causing a major stumbling block in negotiations. Reports have circulated that United would be willing to offer players to the Serie A side as part of the deal, which would benefit their FFP status too, though Atalanta are not willing to entertain such an offer.