Spending has always been part of the modern game. Its undeniable that a clubs success is based on how much money and power they have when it comes to their wealth. So it comes as a surprise then that Manchester United, one of the worlds richest football clubs, plan to limit the amount of spending, depending on how much a club earns. This is reported to cap the amount of money, big clubs like Chlesea and Manchester City are allowed to spend during transfer periods. The issue is set to be discussed by the Premier League for the first time.
The proposal stipulates that Premier League clubs should be subjected to sanctions if they spend more than they earn. The proposal echoes the Financial Fair Play rules UEFA are set to introduce next season for clubs competing in the Champions League and Europa League.
These financial controls could essentially leave clubs being forced to break even every year or risk facing penalties.
Those that stand to loose from this proposal are clubs like City and Chelsea who at the moment, seem to spend big every year despite the club running at a loss. According to City’s last published accounts in 2011, the club made a loss of £197m. Chelsea lost £68m in the same year, while United made a £12m profit, despite them being heavily in debt following the takeover by the Glazer family.
Its not just Manchester United that are pro for this policy. There is strong support from other clubs for the proposal to come to light from clubs such as Wigan and Arsenal. An argument could be made that the proposal favors clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal that are without wealthy benefactors prepared to spend big in the transfer market.
Manchester United’s chief executive David Gill has been one of the driving forces behind UEFA’s financial fair play rules and he wants the Premier League to follow suit. The discussion is set to take place with two groups of 10 clubs, each with a diverse proportion to size and region, are set to discuss the options in more detail today.
David Gill has said, “A lot of clubs would be happy just to introduce the financial fair play regulations into the Premier League now, some wouldn’t, but that’s a debate that has to have happened. And it will happen.’
There will be no decision in the short term, yet Manchester United and their representatives believe that it is a step in the right direction.
Anything that will give United the advantage again and keep the status quo as it has been for 20 years will be considered.
I think they should be forced to pay tax and clear debts before imposing their will on the Premier league as usual.
Man Utd’s spending should be capped at the level of Southampton and West Brom. It’s only fair, isn’t it, to maintain a level playing field across the Premiership?
Man United claiming rich while they have so many dept to clear, let them clear their dept lets know their financial power, the only comfortable club is Arsenal and some low spending clubs. Chelsea and City will suffer a bit but wouldn’t affect them, chelsea have build for the future after landing so many young players in all position from no.1 to no11, for city their squad will remain good in coming five or six years. Man united’s Gills and Wigan’s Dave are late whit their…………….
If Gill is talking about parity then perhaps he should be considering a draft system? The fundamentals he doesn’t get is that you can’t really stop anybody spending their own dosh on what they like (as long as it’s legal). This is a classic case of the bully flexing his muscles when his throne is threatened.
No surprise there then, United having benefited from the riches TV brought to football because they were lucky enough to be the best team when that money came along want to shut the drawbridge and not allow anyone to catch up.
Arsenal I have a little sympathy for as they are trying to do it the right way.
Wigan are misguided, after all in their own small way they have only got where they are because of a rich owner. If FFP rules come in they will stuck where they are forever where as an even richer owner might make then better still.
The only fair system is one that gives all clubs across all leagues the same money regardless of where the club is, its size or income.
I wonder if United would fancy sharing out some of their wealth to help FFP or if they are only interested in FFP rules that allows them to have more money than most?
The Traffs are running scared! If they want a level playing field surely ALL clubs should start off with ZERO debt. No more signings made until all debt is paid off. Doesn’t look so attractive now does it?
Amazing how Platini and Gill got together just as City were attempting to eat at the top table. Cartels eh? Tsh!
How is it right that the chairman of one of the clubs most likely to benefit from these changes is allowed to make up the rules
David Gill should be removed from any FIFA processes and decision making. This is the kind of conceit only possible with the’untouchable’ Man U. Disgusting.
wht crap are manchester united trying to propose, they are in huge debt themselves, because of the dogey glaziers. How they can talk about a level playing field, God only knows.
CFC FOR LIFE!!
incredible that united now want these rules brought in they see city as the richest club in the world and they want to stop them spending funny after all these years of being the top dogs they will do anything to stay there well times change and now for some dominance from the blue half of manchester and good on them for it bout time whiskey nose took one on his purple hooter