UEFA warns clubs in the red

[Shaazzam]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2009/08/ ... ns_league/

UEFA warned European soccer clubs on Thursday that they must break even in the future or face being barred from the Champions League.

UEFA president Michel Platini said he wants new financial rules in place by 2012 to stop clubs from spending more on buying players and paying wages than they generate in football-related income. That includes selling players, match tickets and merchandise, and money from television and sponsorship deals.

"The clubs simply can't spend more than they generate by way of income," Platini said. "We have three years to see how clubs can get back to break even."

A definite shot across the bow of some big teams. And I like it.

[Slava]

I don't take that prick Platini seriously and we're more likely to see a break away league than clubs & players adhering to a salary cap in Europe. Even if they did, that's a blow of clubs like City but United & Madrid have great revenue in terms of filled stadiums, sponsorships and jersey sales.

[Ong_dynasty]

I normally hate Platini..and his stupid ideas
But this does make sense..It doesnt have to be a salary cap ala american sports but teams need to be more financially responsible. You don't wanna see top teams all going bankrupt because they do not know the meaning of financial responsibility.

[kromoszoma]

Platini always has these big ideas of reforms that he can't carry out. I guess this would be aimed at limiting the spending of the sugar daddies, which would be nice, but I have no idea how he wants to do it. I'm guessing he doesn't know either.

[Ong_dynasty]

Platini always has these big ideas of reforms that he can't carry out. I guess this would be aimed at limiting the spending of the sugar daddies, which would be nice, but I have no idea how he wants to do it. I'm guessing he doesn't know either.

+1...
The idea and concept is a good one..
But for the life of me ( and I have been thinking about this for awhile now ) could not see how a salary cap can work since the difference between top clubs and lower clubs are immense.

The only thing I can see is Uefa will only allow say a certain % of revenue to be used as transfer funds. But how many teams will allow that?! and how will it exactly work on down payment deals?! Alot of questions.

[BlackMamba]

well, good luck on that one platini. i also agree that it is a good idea to have the teams in a financial stability.

you could mention teams like manCity or real madrid, even chelsea that supposedly have financial strength, but most of the strength comes from bank loans and credits, that they have to pay sooner or later.

[Smoove]

This better not be a salary bollocks idea, because it will fail hard like it did last time. Clubs will just get mad and form their own organization again and Platini knows the Giant Clubs will do that and UEFA will lose money in the long run, Platini is trying to change shite to much he better stop and ask whole Europe what they want not just go by what the hell he thinks will work. What a twat.

[Batu7]

Let's see, if Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Lyon, Bayern and some other big clubs(Possibly Man City) say **** you to UEFA and form their own league, how big of a blow will the Champions League take?

[BlackMamba]

well, thinking about what Batu7 says i think platini should be really careful with the way he handles this matter, imagine if indeed the top teams of every top european league decide to form their own league? that would be a huuuuge blow on uefa and they would definitely get a lot of money, maybe even more than the champions league itself.

[Shaazzam]

Would it be feasible for teams with massive debts to start their own league? Where would the money come for that?

[Batu7]

Would it be feasible for teams with massive debts to start their own league? Where would the money come for that?

TV rights maybe?

[El Turco]

collectively their fanbase exceeds 1 billion people, they'll have no problem finding investors. media conglomerates were more than happy to fund the planned G-14 league.

[BlackMamba]

yeah, tv and sponsors would go crazy after them. specially considering international fanbase.

what will you want to watch? the EPL with no manU, chelsea, liverpool or arsenal?

the spanish league without barca or real madrid?

[Munchlaxatives]

Arsenal's a profitable business, I don't think there's a big problem there.

However, I do endorse punishing Real and ManU for their massive debts.

[USA]

I think Manu operates a profit every year. Their big debts are from the cost of the club when they were sold to the Glazers. I am not sure if this would fall under the plan or not. I don't think it would because it would take probably 30+ years to pay off the ridiculous amount the Glazer's paid for the club.

The bigger clubs would still be able to buy the best players but at a lower transfer fees.

5 years ago, I don't think something like this would happen but it may very well now.

[snitch55]

Let's see, if Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Milan, Inter, Lyon, Bayern and some other big clubs(Possibly Man City) say **** you to UEFA and form their own league, how big of a blow will the Champions League take?

BUT Milan, Juve, Bayern, Inter and Barca are in for those changes and are against the transfer policy of clubs like R mad , City and Chelsea.

[Ong_dynasty]

Making your own league is also hard..as to go away for Uefa would put the players in a tough situation cosidering they would probably not be allowed to play in international tourneys organised by uefa / fifa