Although Premier League clubs are edging towards a consensus on some form of break even ruie, there is still some way to go on reaching agreement on the form that it might take and how it could be implemented. Not surprisingly, there are differences of opinion between clubs given their divergent interests.
Although Premier League clubs are edging towards a consensus on some form of break even ruie, there is still some way to go on reaching agreement on the form that it might take and how it could be implemented. Not surprisingly, there are differences of opinion between clubs given their divergent interests.
Four clubs – Manchester City, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Everton – are against any plan that would curb the ability of rich benefactors to prop up clubs. Given that only 14 clubs are needed to pass a new rule, they could not block it, but clubs would prefer to reach a consensus if they can.
One of the problems is defining what is meant by ‘break even’. Some clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United back the model proposed by Uefa that will from next season require that clubs in its vcompetitions balance their books over three seasons.
Other clubs such as Newcastle think this is too dracionian. They favour allowing a limited amount of investment by owners who would issue themselves more shares in return for a cash injection.
A salary cap seems to less support as there is even less agreement on how this would work. Subderland chairman Ellis Short has proposed imposing a limit on the percentage of revenue that can be spent on wages.
It can be argued that an increase in salaries will happen whatever controls you introduce. Dan Jones of Deloitte Sports Business told The Times, ‘Unless a measure is introduced that has teeth, market forces will drive the extra money the way of players. They always have.’