Premier League clubs meet today to discuss a paper on how various forms of financial regulation might work. The approval of 14 clubs is needed to approve any change and although there is broad agreement that something needs to be done to bring spending under control, there is disagreement on how it might be done. Some schemes would be more beneficial to particular clubs than others.
Premier League clubs meet today to discuss a paper on how various forms of financial regulation might work. The approval of 14 clubs is needed to approve any change and although there is broad agreement that something needs to be done to bring spending under control, there is disagreement on how it might be done. Some schemes would be more beneficial to particular clubs than others.
Sunderland chairman Ellis Short has proposed a cap on any increase in player wages over the next three seasons, but there has been limited support for that plan. The implementation of Uefa’s financial fair play scheme is favoured by Arsenal and Manchester United, but this is also likely to be rejected. Aston Villa, Fulham, Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion remain opposed to financial regulation.
Clubs such as Everton and Newcastle United prefer less stringent schemes that would still permit owner investment. The dilemma for Arsenal and Manchester United is whether to back a more limited scheme on the grounds that something is better than nothing or defer the whole matter until next season in the hope of getting a more comprehensive deal. However, clubs’ interests, and the arithmetic of any vote, is unlikely to have changed by then.