Sporting Portugal and FC Porto are among the clubs that have been reprimanded by UEFA for violating the Financial Fair Play rules. The Portuguese top clubs not only have to pay a hefty fine, but also have to ensure that the finances are in order before January 31, 2022. If that fails, there is a risk of exclusion from participating in European football.
UEFA has announced that eight clubs have been punished for ‘delinquent payments’. In addition to Sporting and FC Porto, Real Betis (Spain), CFR Cluj (Romania), CSKA Sofia (Bulgaria), Astana (Kazakhstan), Santa Clara (Portugal) and Mons Calpe (Gibraltar) have been fined by the European Football Association for the violation of the Financial Fair Play rules.
Sporting must transfer an amount of 250,000 euros to UEFA, while FC Porto even has to pay 300,000 euros. The eight clubs punished must also ensure that the arrears are eliminated before January 31, 2022, because otherwise there is a risk of a heavier sanction. If the finances are still not in order after that deadline, UEFA will proceed with a European exclusion.
The Netherlands brilliantly repulses Portuguese attack on coefficient rankings
The current state of affairs in the UEFA coefficient rankings.
It would mean that FC Porto or Sporting, for example, are not allowed to play European football for a year, provided that qualifications are achieved for this in the next three seasons. A possible exclusion of the Portuguese top clubs can be followed closely from the Netherlands, because Portugal is currently the biggest competitor in the coefficient ranking of UEFA. On the basis that will be used as of 1 July 2022, the Netherlands already has a lead over Portugal. If the lead is still in place after the 2022/23 season, the Netherlands will secure two places in the group stage of the Champions League for the 2024/25 season.
The loss of FC Porto and Sporting in a European season would mean a major loss for Portugal in this battle. Both clubs have already collected the necessary points for the UEFA coefficient ranking this season. For example, Sporting is already certain of wintering in the Champions League, while FC Porto is also on course to continue in the billion-dollar ball. FC Porto will close the group stage next week with a home game against Atlético Madrid and have one point more than AC Milan and the reigning champions of Spain.