Real Oviedo opt -in to LaLiga’s new money deal; Barca, Real and Bilbao isolated
September 1 – Spanish second division club Real Oviedo have belatedly opted in favour of La Liga’s €2.1 billion agreement with private equity firm CVC.
Finance
FIFA report breaks down $48.5bn spent on player trading
August 31 – An eye-watering $48.5 billion (€41.1 billion) was splashed out on international transfer fees over the past decade, almost half of which was spent by the top 30 clubs with English clubs leading the way, according to a new FIFA report.
Europe’s covid-closed stadia saw €2bn of revenue lost
August 25 – Europe’s top five leagues took a €2 billion revenue hit last season because of the season being forced to be played behind closed doors due to global health crisis, according to a report by consultancy KPMG.
Perez goes back to old pals at JP Morgan in bid to kill LaLiga’s €2.1bn CVC deal
August 24 – Florentino Pérez is not a man to be held hostage. After rebelling against the CVC-La Liga agreement, the Real Madrid club president has opened negotiations with JP Morgan for a deal of his own.
RIP Chievo Verona; former Serie A club folds after failure to find money for new season
August 23 – Chievo Verona is no more. Having been demoted to Serie D following an inability to meet Serie B financial solvency criteria, the club failed to find an investor to enable it to continue and will now fold.
UEFA plans €6bn club relief fund and vigorous revamp of FFP
By Samindra Kunti
August 19 – UEFA is planning a €6 billion relief fund to help leading European clubs survive the global health crisis that has ravaged the football industry.
Barca boss Laporta outlines debt of €1.35bn and wage bill at 103% of club’s income
August 17 – FC Barcelona president Juan Laporta (pictured) has revealed that the club’s debt has risen to a staggering €1.35 billion with the Catalan supremo blaming his predecessor for the unprecedented financial crisis that also led to the departure of talisman Lionel Messi.
LaLiga clubs vote for CVC €2.1bn cash injection but Barca and Real Madrid opt out
By Samindra Kunti
August 13 – On the eve of the new Spanish season, the value of La Liga’s deal with private equity firm CVC dropped from €2.7 billion to €2.1 billion after four clubs voted against and opted out.
PSG boss Al-Khelaifi says Messi signing will not put club in FFP breach
August 12 – Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted that his club are complying with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations after signing Lionel Messi.
Real Madrid to go to court to stop CVC’s €2.7bn deal with LaLiga
By Samindra Kunti
August 11 – Real Madrid will take legal action against La Liga and investment fund CVC to block a proposed deal between the two parties, which would see the equity firm invest €2.7 billion in the Spanish professional game.
Bayern boss Kahn calls for player salary cap to help clubs through financial crisis
August 10 – He may be new to his high-profile role, but Bayern Munich CEO and former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (pictured) has dived straight in to tackle perhaps the biggest issue in the club game, and called for a salary cap.
No fans in Westfalenstadion pushes Dortmund to €72m loss
August 10 – German giants Borussia Dortmund have reported a loss of €72.8 million for the 2021/21 financial year, up from the €44 million loss reported in the previous year.
Newcastle’s £26m deficit completes grisly campaign for Premier League club finances
By David Owen
August 9 – Newcastle United, the Tyneside club still for now under the control of Mike Ashley, has finally published its accounts for the 2019-20 season, showing a pre-tax loss of £26 million.
No-money Barca join Real Madrid in criticism of CVC’s €2.7bn LaLiga buy-in
August 9 – FC Barcelona has joined Real Madrid in protest against La Liga’s proposed CVC investment.
Concerns over Inter’s future as owner Zhang chased for $250m unpaid loans in Hong Kong court
By Paul Nicholson
August 6 – Inter Milan president Steven Zhang (pictured) is being pursued in a Hong Kong court for $250 million, according to documents filed August 2, 2021.