Financial Foul Play?

Uefa are ready to ban clubs from the Champions League if they continue to report huge financial losses. Europe’s governing body would argue that they’re performing in the best interest of the European game for the long-term, insisting that clubs invest in youth academies and stadiums rather than inflated transfer fees and astronomical wages. But could Uefa’s interfering spark a rebellion from the top clubs in Europe, forcing them to branch off into their own super league and thus cripple the domestic leagues they leave behind?

Uefa recently announced that European clubs totalled a loss of 1.6bn euros in 2010 and stressed that clubs had to comply and break-even or face harsh penalties such as expulsion from European competition. It is said that as many as 13 clubs would fail to break-even if the ruling came into effect now, however clubs are being given leeway of losses up to 45 million euros over a two-year period. But while the elite clubs in Europe certainly hold more power than their lesser counterparts, Uefa stressed that the credibility of the ruling meant that all clubs—no matter of status—had to comply.

But should Uefa be concerned of a backlash from their threats of cutting down squads and even banning clubs from the Champions League in extreme circumstances? The idea of the major clubs in Europe breaking away to form their own ‘super league’ is not a new one, something which would, of course, greatly increasing their revenue.
What would happen then to the most fashionable leagues in world football, and would Uefa look to ease on their demands for Financial Fair Play? While it is a concern that clubs could soon follow the same path as the European economy, it does significantly hinder the personal ambitions and targets of clubs if they are to be chained down by a ruling that they do not necessarily have to sit back and accept.

There is arguably more power collectively in all the major clubs in Europe than the governing body, allowing them greater leverage in a bid to carry on as they please. While enforcing these rules and insisting on the harsh penalties that could be imposed, Uefa are most definitely treading a very fine line with what they are demanding of their great ... MORE

Footytubeblog