Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi says that he is confident his club will not be punished for breaching UEFA’s financial fair play (FFP) rules despite increased speculation that the French champions will be targeted when European football’s governing body delivers its judgment on club finances next month.
• Johnson: PSG title party on hold
UEFA wants to stop clubs spending more than they earn and it is thought that PSG -- owned by Qatar Sports Investments -- have come under scrutiny for a massive sponsorship deal signed with the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
There is some concern that the agreement -- worth an estimated 200 million euros per year -- was struck at an artificially-inflated price to help the Ligue 1 leaders meet UEFA guidelines.
Speaking after PSG’s 1-1 draw at Sochaux on Sunday, however, Al-Khelaifi did not appear concerned that the club might face sanctions.
“There’s no reason to take a decision against us,” he told Canal Plus. “I’m very confident of that -- we’re well within the UEFA rules. There’s no problem. We’ll see, we’re talking with UEFA... I’m very confident.”
Last week UEFA president Michel Platini hinted that PSG could be among a number of big clubs hit by “significant sanctions” at the beginning of May.
But Platini also told Le Parisien that the penalties for offending clubs would not include exclusion from European competition.