(Reuters) - Meta Platforms Inc ( META ) is facing a hefty fine in the EU over its alleged efforts to dominate the classified advertising market, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

EU regulators will claim Facebook's parent company links its free Marketplace services with the social network in an effort to undermine its rivals, the newspaper said.

The bloc's decision could come as early as next month and would mark one of the final investigations overseen by the EU's outgoing competition chief Margrethe Vestager, the report said.

Meta and the bloc did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comments.