04/16/24
September 15, 2009
UEFA and The FA Propose Tighter Belts: UEFA has agreed to move forward with plans prepared by President Michel Platini to force clubs to live within their means that could see irresponsible clubs suspended from Champions or Europa leagues. Meanwhile The FA usher in new financial rules for the Premier League which will require clubs have at least one foot in the real world providing annual, independently-audited accounts.
posted by Mr Bismarck to soccer at 06:23 PM - 3 comments
The good news is that having transfer income be one of the approved spending sources mean you might see an increased focus on finding and training young players to turn a transfer profit.
Especially when you add in the new domestic player rule.
Generally I am always in favor of sanity.
posted by billsaysthis at 09:25 PM on September 15, 2009
The good news is that having transfer income be one of the approved spending sources mean you might see an increased focus on finding and training young players to turn a transfer profit.
I think the Bosman ruling was a poor result for smaller clubs in that respect. However, having said that, I'm not a great believer in restraints of trade such as introducing a 'domestic player' rule. This will work against young players from the developing world - Africa in particular. A bit like the Common Agricultural Policy does for protecting European farmers at the expense of the rest of the world.
Financial rules that increase prudential oversight*, limit the amount of debt, encourage expenditure on player development and facilities for spectators are probably good things, especially since a salary cap is going to be impractical to apply. The Bundesliga is a good example where these financal rules have worked.
*As a Chester City follower through my mother's family, I welcome these. In case you aren't aware, Chester were relegated to the Conference last season and then took another 25 point hit forgoing into administration (again). Some extremely dodgy characters have been involved in the whole affair, who probably should never be allowed near a football club.
posted by owlhouse at 10:20 PM on September 15, 2009
The FA's move seems to be a reaction to the arrival of more Sugar Daddy owners and clubs living out of deep benefactor pockets, rather than in any relation to the numbers of tickets they sell and other football-generated income.
Apparently even the mega-rich eventually catch on that shoveling money into a giant oven isn't sustainable, long-term.
I can't see this narrowing the gap between rich and poor, as smaller clubs won't be any closer to competing unless they can build and fill a ~50,000 seater arena. The good news is that having transfer income be one of the approved spending sources mean you might see an increased focus on finding and training young players to turn a transfer profit.
Or, y'know, just stealing them from French clubs.