February 3 – Olympique Marseille are starring down the barrel of financial disaster again after the accounts of holding company Eric Soccer revealed a deficit of €91.5 million for the 2018-2019 season, surpassing the mammoth €78.5 million loss of the 2017-2018 financial year.
The numbers point the finger at the management of club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud and American owner Frank McCourt, who acquired the French club in 2016 and pledged to invest €200 million in the club over the next four years.
After suffering a near €80 million loss in the 2017-2018 season, the 2018-2019 season brought a deficit of €91.5 million, in part attributed to high wage bill for players like Kévin Strootman and Dimitri Payet.
UEFA has stated that it requires “Olympique Marseille present a maximum deficit of €30 million for the financial year 2020, and of €0 million for the financial year 2021.”
It is unclear where the club will find revenue streams to reduce the current deficit by the end of the season if it is unable to offload highly paid players. Marseille could face heavy sanctions if they fail to comply with UEFA’s targets, most likely invilving exclusion from European club competitions.
On the field, Marseille drew 0-0 away to Bordeaux this weekend. They occupy second spot in the league table and could qualify for the Champions League next season.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714058656labto1714058656ofdlr1714058656owedi1714058656sni@t1714058656catno1714058656c1714058656