Worried About Ridiculous Transfer Fees & Incredulous Wages. Don't Be as UEFA will fix it...

Thursday, 22 January 09, 09:41 AM · Comments(2)

Apparently UEFA are in discussions with representatives of various clubs (well all the big ones obviously not those insignificant ones like Manchester City- oh) to limit the budget available for transfers/wages to 51% of a club's annual revenue. I think many of us would like this to happen but we, unfortunately, live in the real world and there are a number of reasons why it's unlikely to happen.

1. Can you actually see any of these clubs agreeing to it or, for that matter, agreeing on anything.

2. If it ever got to be an actual ruling how many clubs would circumvent/cheat/be a little less than honest with the system and still carry on regardless. In which case UEFA wouldn't do a thing anyway.

3. Who's going to tell a rich man who has billions where and when he can spend his money (and, to be fair, whatever the morals of the argument - it's the man's money to spend)

4. How would the EU feel about it - as many of the clubs are PLCs surely they are judged by their shareholders on their accounts and not UEFA

and, of course, the main reason....

5. UEFA are in charge! With it's highly exceptional track record of creating legislation and then enforcing it there should be no bleeding chance.

In a way it's a shame as I've always felt that clubs should be judged on their ability to manage their affairs in a manner that enables them to create a successful sporting side using the same methods available to all teams. In the case of Manchester City (& Chelsea before them) they have a financial advantage not gained by success on the pitch or by attracting sponsors or getting punters into a stadium etc. Significant moves such as Arsenal's building of a new stadium (using a business model to increase revenue) and Liverpool's (Everton, Spurs, etc.) attempt to do the same are virtually left meaningless. It also negates the excellent job at Aston Villa, where, despite the new owners, the club seems to live within its own means and build with young talent.

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