RMC: Paris Saint-Germain Fined €2.7 Million for Failing to Meet Gender Pay Equality Index Requirements

According to reports cited by RMC Sport, the Paris Administrative Court confirmed a previous fine of around €2.7 million imposed on Paris Saint-Germain because the club failed to meet the relevant requirements of France's professional gender equality index before 2024.

The ruling was issued on June 25 and upheld the penalty decision made by the labor inspection department of the Île-de-France region in March 2024. Under that decision, Paris Saint-Germain was required to pay a fine equivalent to 0.5% of the club's 2022 revenue, amounting specifically to €2,728,468.

According to labor inspection data, Paris Saint-Germain failed to meet the requirements of the professional gender equality index for three consecutive years. One of the main issues was the insufficient representation of women among the club's 10 highest-paid employees.

Paris Saint-Germain had previously challenged the decision, arguing that professional football clubs have particular circumstances. The club said: "Regarding the indicator concerning the proportion of women among the 10 highest-paid employees, there is a conflict with the structural characteristics of men's professional football. Players' salaries naturally occupy the top positions in the rankings, which greatly limits the club's ability to influence this indicator and is unrelated to the human resources policies implemented for other employees."

Paris also said that the club had carried out long-term adjustments regarding the issue and stated that it had complied with the relevant obligations since 2023.

However, the Paris Administrative Court ultimately rejected the club's appeal and confirmed that salaries received by professional players must also be included in the calculation of the relevant indicators.

Paris Saint-Germain later stated that the club had accepted the court's decision and would continue taking measures to strengthen professional gender equality internally.

According to French regulations, companies with more than 50 employees must calculate and publish a professional gender equality index every year, including indicators such as pay gaps and the representation of women in high-paying positions.