Newcastle United hit with fine by UEFA for breaching SCR last season

Newcastle United have learned their fate after breaching UEFA's Football Earnings Threshold and Squad Cost Ratio rules last season.

As well as the Premier League's arbitrary financial regulations, clubs competing in UEFA-organised competitions also have to adhere to that governing body's rules, which are even more stringent.

Aston Villa and Chelsea have run afoul of UEFA's regulations, which saw them hit with financial penalties, and Newcastle have known for a while that one was coming their way.

Representatives from Newcastle United have been negotiating with UEFA over the terms of the settlement, and now the club has learned the extent of its punishment.

Newcastle have reached an agreement with UEFA

Newcastle United released a statement on Tuesday confirming a €3m (£2.5m) penalty plus a €7m (£6m) suspended penalty if the club breaches the rules again, as well as a further €3m (£2.5m) for breaching SCR.

"Newcastle United has entered into a settlement agreement with UEFA following a breach of its Financial Sustainability Regulations in the three-year period ending June 2025.

"Following an overspend in relation to UEFA's Football Earnings threshold, the club has worked closely and constructively with the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) to swiftly resolve the matter.

"Accordingly, the club has accepted the three-year settlement, which includes a €3m financial penalty, with a further €7m suspended pending future compliance.

"In addition, UEFA has determined that the club will pay a further €3m due to breaching UEFA's 70% Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) target in calendar year 2025.

"Newcastle United thanks UEFA for its careful consideration and is committed to full ongoing compliance."

For the love of the game, just get rid of this nonsense

A financial slap on the wrist is certainly better than a transfer ban, but we still find this whole thing counterintuitive to how the game is run these days.

People have known for years that football is no longer a sport, it's a business, and businesses rely on money, making it, spending it and making more. 

Just because some clubs overspent and put their futures at risk, that shouldn't mean that every other club should be punished. Or, if they had to implement these restrictions, then there should be a fairer way to do it. 

Those clubs at the top should be hit with bigger restrictions to allow those underneath to catch up, and when everyone is on an even keel, level it out. Or, just get rid of them all together ebcause it's clear the rules don't apply if you're a darling club.