Only a short piece as this is breaking news is still quite raw. Even though its not South Shields FC or non-league related, I cant help but give my view.
The breaking news that came out on the evening of this valentines day is that Manchester City have been found guilty by UEFA for breaking Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and not only have been fined a whopping 30 million euros but also (significantly) banned from all UEFA competitions for the next 2 seasons, until 2022-23.
Why is this? Well this is all to do with the supposed commercial revenue that Man City were receiving, including that world record deal for the stadium naming rights to Etihad Airways, the company also bears its name on the home shirts as chief sponsor. The issue here is that Etihad Airways are owned by the same people who own the football club.
So in a way, you could say the club found a loophole in the regulations to in effect use sponsorship deals to hand money to themselves. Very very naughty.
THE CONSEQUENCES
If City do appeal and then lose, then the consequences for them could be dire. Players who demand Champions League football every season will want to leave meaning there could be a mass exodus of players, the manager Pep Guardiola will most likely want to leave as well for a Champions League contender. Hundreds of millions of pounds would be lost in potential prize money and broadcasting revenues.
Further down the Premier League however, the whole spectrum of what can be achieved by clubs lower down suddenly got bigger. As things stand, newly promoted Sheffield United now stand poised to claim the vacant Champions League spot. Europa League spots could go as far down as 8th place depending on the winners of the FA and Carabao cups. meaning that clubs as far down as Crystal Palace in 14th place now have hopes of nicking a European place.
But imagine that, Sheffield United in the Champions League next season, that would be extraordinary
MY VIEW
Whatever side of the fence you side on pretty much depends on who you support. If you’re a City fan then yep, you’re angry with UEFA and hope the club intend to appeal but if not then its more than likely that one will think this is a club that has broken the rules that has finally got its commupence.
When UEFA and FIFA brought in these FFP regulations, it was to stop a handful of clubs spending what they wanted and potentially putting their own futures in jeopardy as well as attempt to maintain a level of competitiveness. With potentially heavy punishments for any club that contravened these regulations.
And in a way, i’m delighted. Well done to UEFA for finally having the balls to take action and inflict a punishment.
Its a sign at least in my eyes that the authorities are finally standing up to the bully boy tactics of its elite clubs. Not just Man City but also PSG have been known to be close to fall foul of these rules.
However it still leaves me with a small fear. If the ban is upheld, then I just wonder if this will intensify talk of a future breakaway European Super League, I talked about that in a past piece.
LINK: THE EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE – MY OPINION
Overall, its a decision which if upheld, could potentially change the face of football but in England’s top tier and the continent.
Thanks for reading
Claret and Blue Pixels 