UEFA refuses to release Malaga prize money

Malaga players Diego Buonanotte (C) and Martin Demichelis (2nd R) celebrate after scoring against FC Zenit during their UEFA Champions League group C football match in St. Petersburg on November 21, 2012.

The UEFA Club Financial Control Body investigatory chamber has released certain amount of prize money owned to sixteen out of 23 clubs, but have called for sanctions against Champions League contender Malaga after they were unable to pay players a combined €9 million ($11.6 million).

Their case had been referred to UEFA’s adjudicatory chamber and are now forced to balance their books.

The other clubs facing the same fate include Croatia’s Hajduk Split and Osijek, Romania’s Rapid and Dinamo Bucharest and Partizan Belgrade and Vojvodina of Serbia, Poland’s Lech Poznan and Arsenal Kiev of Ukraine.

Two months back, it was announced that Malaga were unable to pay the players, and director Moyat Shatat and the players reached an agreement that all unpaid wages would be paid in full, once the UEFA prize money was released.

The Spanish club has qualified for the Champions League last 16 and is due at least €25 million ($32 million) in prize money and bonuses from UEFA.