FFP to be relaxed: is Premier League TV deal to blame?
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool concerned about Uefa decision to 'ease' regulations
Uefa's plans to relax Financial Fair Play rules have provoked an angry response in some quarters with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, renowned for his prudent approach, suggested the governing body had buckled under pressure from clubs who "never respected" the rules, while inflated TV rights deals had queered the pitch for clubs across Europe.
A year after Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were hit with fines for breaching the rules, Uefa president Michel Platini announced that the rules would now be "eased".
According to the Daily Telegraph the changes "would allow owners to embark on a short-term spending spree, providing they are not borrowing money to do so and they present Uefa with a clear plan for breaking even in subsequent years". They are a reaction to "criticism from clubs that the current regulations unfairly discriminated against new investors in teams".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Wenger told the Telegraph: "It will not affect [Arsenal] at all because we always spend the money we have... [but] there were some clubs who never respected FFP and it looks like international pressure to make the rules more flexible because of potential investors in other countries.
"It never worked completely. It had a positive influence on some aspects of the job but it was never completely in place. The only thing you can say is before it was completely in place it is already changed."
He added that the Premier League's mammoth TV deal, worth more than £5bn, may also have forced Uefa's hand as it gives English clubs more financial clout.
Arsenal are not the only club to voice concerns. Manchester United and Liverpool are also worried. "All three clubs, under American ownership, have been vocal in their support of FFP and their opposition to the form of benefactor-funded spending that has brought success — as well as Uefa disciplinary action — to [Manchester] City and PSG," says The Times.
City will certainly benefit, says the paper, "as would Chelsea, whose apparent conversion to FFP has been largely pragmatic". The "relaxation on spending limits might also be welcomed by an emerging breed of wealthy foreign owners in Italian football," it adds.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
WSL takeover: a new era for women's football?
Under the radar Split from governing body comes in wake of record crowds, TV audiences and revenue in the women's game
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published