UEFA warns Belgium over excessive player salaries
Belgium has been singled out by UEFA for its high wage-to-revenue ratio in football, with only Greece and Turkey faring worse. According to UEFA's latest financial report, Belgian clubs spent 86 per cent of their revenue on wages in 2023, well above the recommended threshold.
UEFA's annual financial report analyses the economic health of 745 clubs in 55 countries. The sector has recovered strongly from the Covid-19 crisis, with revenues reaching a new record of 26.8 billion euros in 2023, an amount that was projected to rise to over 29 billion euros in 2024.
UEFA attributes football's financial growth to foreign investment, rising commercial revenues (up 39 per cent in 2023) and ticket sales (up 32 per cent). However, the governing body warns that wage inflation threatens financial sustainability, particularly in Belgium.
Living beyond means
Lorin Parys, CEO of Belgium's Pro League, admits that Belgian clubs are living beyond their means and raised the issue when he announced the financial figures from the Licensing Commission last month.
"We are asking our members to move towards positive equity and a healthy squad spending ratio"
"This report is the reason why the Pro League is imposing strict rules on the clubs," said Parys. "We are asking our members to move towards positive equity and a healthy squad spending ratio." Within four years, clubs must spend no more than 70 per cent of their net operating income on sporting staff costs.
Beyond wages, Belgium is also facing rising operating costs, with a loss of 209 million euros in 2023 - the second highest in Europe after France and more than double that of the Netherlands or Portugal. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has warned that clubs must remain cautious as profitability levels have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Anderlecht players during a Pro League match against Standard Liege, 2 March 2025 © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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