UEFA orders new investigation of Galatasaray finances

UEFA has ordered a deeper investigation into Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray’s spending.

The announcement was made on Friday by European football’s governing body.

Galatasaray joins Paris Saint-Germain among Champions League clubs this season under extended scrutiny for possible “Financial Fair Play” breaches. The rules require Champions League and Europa League clubs to break-even on football-related business.

Though UEFA investigators reached agreement with Galatasaray in June, the finance panel’s judges decided to “refer the case back … for further investigation.”

The settlement remaining in force during the case includes Galatasaray paying €6 million ($6.9 million) from UEFA prize money and limiting their Champions League squad to 21 senior players instead of the normal limit, 25.

Critics say UEFA’s rules protect certain clubs with global brands from high spending by ambitious rivals.

The official statement released by UEFA;

“Following the decision of the Chief Investigator of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) to conclude a settlement agreement with Galatasaray AS and the subsequent decision of the CFCB Chairman to send it for review by the CFCB Adjudicatory Chamber, the latter announced today its decision to refer the case back to the CFCB Investigatory Chamber for further investigation. Meanwhile, the settlement agreement concluded on 13 June 2018 remains in force, until further notice.”