What on earth is happening with Malaga?

It emerged last week that Malaga had failed to pay up to 40% of the player’s wages. For a club that is financially backed by Sheikh Abdulla Al-Thani of the Qatari Royal Family, a man who’s net worth $2.4bn, it appeared to be an impossibility. Nevertheless, as shocking as the news was earlier this month, AFE President Luis Rubiales confirmed it to be true.

The club was purchased back in 2010 for a reported €36m and the new owners set about transforming the fortunes of Malaga both on and off the pitch. Their home, Estadio La Rosaleda, was renovated two years ago in part of the long-term plan of the club. Furthermore, the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Joaquin Sanchez and Joris Mathijsen were all signed to help take the club to the next level.

Dubbed ‘project Malaga’, it began to bear fruit last season, culminating in a top four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League. However, it was only recently that the problems began to arise. Rumours that the owners had pulled the plug on the project began to swirl across the internet, leading to similarities of Racing de Santander last year, who had been brought by Indian business tycoon Ahsan Ali Syed only to realise that no money would be pumped into the club, who were relegated last season.

Reports suggest that unless debts have been paid by the end of the month, Malaga will be stripped of their UEFA license, meaning that can’t compete in the Champions League next season. With that in mind, Santi Cazorla has been linked with a big money move away from the La Liga outfit, with Arsenal a possible destination. Either way, Malaga need to ease their financial woes sooner rather than later or risk a number of problems before the season has begun.