Marseille begins major sell-off following UEFA sanctions
After receiving UEFA sanctions, Olympique de Marseille is launching a strict austerity plan, prioritizing player sales to balance their budget.
L'Anglais Mason Greenwood devrait quitter l'OM cet été. (P. Lahalle/L'Équipe)
Following months of financial uncertainty, Olympique de Marseille has received a definitive verdict from UEFA. The club has avoided immediate exclusion from European competitions, receiving a one-year window to balance its books. While this allows the team to participate in the Europa League, it comes with stringent conditions.
Beyond a 10 million euro fine, the club faces strict budgetary controls. The primary mandate for the upcoming transfer window is a neutral or positive net spend; new signings cannot exceed the revenue generated from player exits. President Stéphane Richard and sporting director Grégory Lorenzi have already begun shifting the club's strategy toward youth development and sustainable wage structures.
The club's immediate priority, led by Lorenzi, is to finalize sales before the end of June. This is crucial for their upcoming hearing with the DNCG, which was rescheduled to June 23. Marseille is preparing for a period of financial discipline similar to that undergone by Lyon last summer.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the club stated its commitment to meeting all UEFA requirements and fulfilling its financial responsibilities.
Mason Greenwood has emerged as a high-value asset for potential transfer, though interest from AS Roma is complicated by their own UEFA financial sanctions. With the club needing to reduce its payroll, the management is prepared to listen to offers for any player on a significant contract to meet their mandated financial targets.