Top European sides have prize money frozen after UEFA financial fair play probe

Europa League champions Atletico Madrid and Qatar-backed Malaga are among 23 sides facing having price money stopped as UEFA investigates breaches of its financial fair play rules.

epa03212770 Atletico Madrid players celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Europa League 2012 final between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania, 09 May 2012. Atletico Madrid won 3-0. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU

Associated Press

Sep 11, 2012

Europa League champions Atletico Madrid have had their prize money from the competition frozen by UEFA after a probe into claims it breached "financial fair play" rules.

The Primera Liga side is one of 23 teams who have been warned they face having their prize money stopped because of overdue transfer payments, wages or taxes.

UEFA confirmed Malaga, Sporting Lisbon and Fenerbahce are also on the list of clubs being investigated, though no British sides are on the list.

The list of offending clubs was drawn up by Jean-Luc Dehaene, the former prime minister of Belgium who heads the panel appointed by UEFA to prosecute financial fair play cases.

UEFA says the clubs have until Sept. 30 "to provide an updated situation."

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