Nine clubs facing UEFA financial fair play sanctions

PARIS, May 3 (AFP): Nine clubs are facing action under European football's financial fair play regulations, UEFA confirmed Saturday.

In a statement on its website, European football's governing body explained that 76 of the 237 clubs who took part in this year's UEFA competitions had been requested to submit additional information.

"From that group, the examination as regards 67 clubs has come to an end and continues only in relation to the nine remaining clubs," it said.

There was no indciation of the identity of the clubs involved, but a spokesman told that only those nine would face possible action.

Many have been quick to speculate on which clubs might fall foul of the new regulations, with the names of big-spending Premier League title contenders Manchester City and Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain featuring prominiently among the list of likely suspects in recent weeks.

UEFA's Investigatory Chamber, which led the inquiry, has powers to impose sanctions, including heavy fines and a wage cap on the squads to appear in next season's Champions League.

The sanctions package is understood to be part of a settlement offer to the clubs, which they can accept or reject or try to reach an amicable settlement.

But if a club refuses to comply with the Chamber's ruling, their case would go to a tribunal which would rule on the matter in June.

The sanctions are designed to restrict expenditure on players by clubs who have breached the rules and help them in their efforts to comply with the limits on losses in future seasons.