Football is more than just a sport. In today’s world, it’s also a business, and sometimes, a very shady one. Big money owners often use football clubs to launder black money, hide shady deals, or build a clean image for themselves or their countries. Here’s how they do it, with real examples from around the world.

How clubs become tools for financial misuse

Many football clubs lose money every year, yet rich people still buy them. Why? Because clubs can help them:

• Launder black money through fake sponsorships or inflated player transfers.
• Avoid taxes by paying players and agents through hidden routes.
• Clean their personal or national image, also known as sportswashing.
• Transfer funds legally between countries without raising red flags.

Case Study 1: Manchester City and FFP manipulation

The Premier League charged Manchester City with 115 breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. The club was accused of:

• Hiding real payments to players and coaches
• Creating fake sponsorships linked to their owners in Abu Dhabi

This made the club look financially clean while spending huge money on top stars. The investigation is still ongoing.

Case Study 2: Juventus and false accounting

In 2023, Juventus was caught artificially boosting player values in swap deals. For example, two average players were exchanged between clubs, but both were shown as expensive on paper. This helped balance the books without real money being spent, a clear example of using the system to “make black into white.”

Case Study 3: Chelsea and hidden payments

During Roman Abramovich’s time, Chelsea allegedly paid agents and players through secret routes like offshore accounts. A 2023 report showed how the club avoided showing the full costs of transfers and salaries. This helped the club stay under spending limits while getting top talent, all while hiding how much money really changed hands.

Case Study 4: PSG and state-backed funds

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) received huge sponsorships from Qatari companies, which many believe were overvalued. These deals helped the club appear FFP-compliant, allowing them to buy Neymar, Mbappé, and Messi. Critics say it’s a cover-up for state funds being pushed into the club, using football to polish Qatar’s image.

Case Study 5: Sportswashing by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is investing billions in football. Their sovereign wealth fund (PIF) bought Newcastle United and pumped money into the Saudi Pro League. Big stars like Ronaldo and Benzema were signed. But this is seen by many as sportswashing, using football to distract the world from human rights issues at home.

Can it happen in India? It already is.

Yes, and not just in theory. In India, especially in Goa and the North East, football clubs have been quietly used to channel unexplained money or operate without full transparency.

Casino money in Goan clubs

Goa is home to many casinos, and it is widely believed in football circles that some clubs use profits from casinos or related hospitality businesses to fund football operations. These funds, often not officially declared, are pushed into clubs as sponsorships or investments, without proper audits or transparency. Since football is not heavily regulated in India, this becomes a convenient method to convert black money into white.

Churchill Brothers and Aizawl FC

• Churchill Brothers, a historic Goan club, has long been suspected of operating through informal financial structures, with gaps in public reporting on player transfers, salaries, and sponsorships.
• Aizawl FC, despite being a hero story in Indian football, has also been linked with non-transparent dealings in player transfers, especially in how contracts and agent payments are handled.

While there’s no official proof of wrongdoing, the lack of regulatory checks and financial disclosures creates a perfect space for under-the-table deals, unreported player fees, and shadow sponsorships.

Final word

Football is a beautiful game, but money can spoil it. Around the world and in India, club owners have found ways to use football as a legal front to clean dirty money, escape financial rules, or build a fake image. As fans and stakeholders, we must push for greater transparency, proper audits, and clear ownership structures, especially as Indian football grows.