Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has rejected the idea that Celtic might have faced trouble with UEFA if they had chosen to spend heavily in the summer…
Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay watch on during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Faced with anger from supporters and growing discontent across the fan base, Celtic issued a disingenuous and patronising statement on Saturday trying to address concerns over their shambolic transfer activity before the window shut last Monday.
Celtic spent roughly £13.6 million on new signings over the summer while bringing in around £30 million from player sales and the sell-on-clauses for Jeremie Frimpong and Ben Doak.
theRangers v Celtic,31 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
In their statement, the nameless executives – who briefed against the manager in The Scottish Sun third-hand on Saturday morning – highlighted UEFA’s Financial Sustainability Regulations, stressing the need to remain aligned with their self-sustaining model.
Jordan, however, questioned the logic, like the rest of us, after crunching the numbers himself.
Simon Jordan debunking the UEFA’s
Financial Sustainability Regulations
excuse made by our incompetent board. pic.twitter.com/TbLg2e02EO— Johnny Martian (@JRMartin1988) September 8, 2025
Teams competing in UEFA tournaments are restricted to using no more than 70 percent of their income on expenses such as salaries, transfer fees, and agent commission.
Over a three-year review period, clubs are allowed to outspend their income by up to €5 million, while the cap on acceptable losses has been increased from €30 million to €60 million.
Brendan Rodgers during the Premier League match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic’s most recent financial report showed revenues of £83.5 million and a profit of £43.9 million.
Either way, it’s hard to grasp whether it’s more troubling that the Celtic board do not understand UEFA’s FSR, or that they are simply misrepresenting them as a reason for not spending.
Now, ex-Palace owner Simon Jordan agrees. Speaking on TalkSport, he said: “The challenges I have with their statement is that they’re making UEFA’s governing rules part of the reason they can’t do certain things.”
“Well, Celtic made £35m and £11m profit the previous season so the £60m losses they are allowed to have under UEFA sanctioning is irrelevant to this conversation.”
Jordan added: “So when they use the fact they’ve got to run their football sustainably – which I don’t suggest they shouldn’t – and when they suggest there’s certain restrictions on transfer fees and wages because of UEFA’s governance, they’re absolutely right. But what’s that got to do with Celtic’s position?”
“Celtic are nowhere near the challenge of UEFA. UEFA allows them to lose 60 million euros every three years. Celtic have made 44 million euros profit over the last two years which means there’s somewhere in the region of 110 million euros worth of difference – if not more – so I’m not entirely sure why they feel the need to wheel that in because it’s not true.”
Perhaps Celtic should clarify?
Here’s Swiss Ramble message on this matter courtesy of the RGC Celtic podcast chaps…
Here’s the text we kindly received from @SwissRamble in full as we’ve been asked if we could post it by a few of the lazy lads. 😀 pic.twitter.com/Vo7YtInUsE
— RGC Celtic (@RGCCeltic) September 10, 2025
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Eighties – Out Now!…
Celtic in the Eighties by the late, great David Potter is out now on Celtic Star Books. Celtic in the Eighties is now available in the Celtic superstore and all other club shops. And don’t forget that you can still purchase your copy directly from Celticstarbooks.com for same day postage.
Order Celtic in the Eighties today, you’ll be glad you did, it’s a fabulous read!
OUT NOW! Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Foreword by Danny McGrain. Published on Celtic Star Books. Click on image to order.
Agreed that FSR is nothing more than a smoke screen, to increase the level of greed within the PLC.
You can set contracts at europa level income, with bonus related payments depending upon success gained, especially at CL level, with the higher income available.
A very easy sustainable model, that I wouldn’t be complaining about to much either imo.
It’s the matter of only prepared to pay out lower contracts, that will be determined by the fee, we are prepared to pay for players, that seems to be the massive problem?
Paying bigger fees last season, possibly meant higher contracts, and for some producing less, despite being paid more.
As a club, we tend to allow plenty of room for improved contracts, once players have proved themselves, and accepted within our support also.
Again could understand such a decision taken upon contracts offered, even if I still say that there is plenty of room available to get the higher quality players that was expected, but never happened.
Rodgers himself is not without blame either, with nothing more than a 1 dimensional style of play in operation, with like for like subs in place, and remains the same set up again this season.
If we are playing exciting football, then a far bigger pool of players becomes available, but we aren’t, and haven’t for some time now, along with unable to win our bigger games available.
Never thought Rodgers was going to extend beyond this season, which changes the profile of player, who might fit into a 1 dimensional style of play. Even moreso if you are looking to offer 4/5 year contracts.
Regardless, I don’t believe that our squad is as weak, as to many are trying to claim imo?
Rodgers has to be able to generate more motivation into players already here, which has been an issue for some time now.
If that can be generated, then easier for the new additions to settle quicker and hopefully able to contribute more to our season ahead.
We need Calmac to contribute more so in a more positive and attack minded approach, moreso than this sideways and backwards shite that he’s becoming to fond of playing lately.
The ability is still available to change our footballing approach this season, and will possibly have to wait until next summer to see if that transpires into the boardroom.
But with a new manager expected, then taking the wait and see approach upon that issue, for the time being myself.