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Analysis
7 min read

European football club ownership: rules and regulations

Football has become synonymous with big money investors and financial takeovers, but what requirements must be followed by club owners to comply with UEFA and national leagues?

  • The season before the introduction of Financial Fair Play Regulation, UEFA determined that over half of Europe’s clubs had recorded losses
  • 16 countries require new owners to pass fit and proper assessments, with Wales and Denmark also in the process of introducing such checks
  • There are now 90 clubs in Europe with ownership links and 50 shareholders with a stake in two or more clubs

European football clubs must follow the rules of both UEFA and the national league in which they participate. Some regulations, such as Financial Fair Play, are absolute, while others are more flexible.

Over the last 30 years, European football supporters have witnessed the acquisition of significant stakes in their clubs by wealthy individuals, consortia and sovereign states. Despite the financial impact wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, investment activity from overseas parties has continued unabated, driven by the potential for lucrative returns in a sector with strong fundamentals and significant opportunities for future growth.