I think the emphasis of the changes they are going to implement is on the protection of the clubs. It's very different from a salary cap like we have in league which is intended to be competition levelling so clubs are able to grow if they perform well, without having to chase the 'big' clubs with money they don't have.

The report they are basing it on states that 20% of the football clubs in Europe are in a 'dire financial state'. There are many, many others which are organised in an incredibly fragile way, with the entire foundations of the club teetering on the health and financial stability of one or very few individuals.The early reports state they are going to give clubs time to restructure themselves to meet the arrangements.

With the banning from European competition they are stating as the main punishment for clubs in breach of the rules this could also be another big push for the financially irresponsible clubs to form the mythical "European Super League". It'll happen eventually and this could be another prod at the bee hive.

How they do it and what they come up with is obviously still up for discussion, but the necessity for them to do something seems to have hit home with the football authorities now. There are plenty of clubs on the verge of financial disaster and I was listening to the radio yesterday and a guy from Deloite & Touche was saying it'll only take one major club to actually collapse for the house of cards that is happily swaying in the wind to come tumbling down.

It's such a hypocritical sport football. It's promotes how important and 'big' it is, trying to justify transfer fees that would build regional hospitals in a lot of countries and weekly wages that would feed an entire settlement for a year. Then it makes massive losses. This is where the feedback to looking at wages and transfer fees breaks down, no one says "Actually, you know, we can't actually afford to pay you £250,000 per week son, how about £25,000?".

Man City sell 100 season ticket to 100 of the chairmans family for say million each love to see platini take that to court. Time Platini got used to the fact English clubs more attractive to investors than say France Portugal Germany etc,

Robbie Rotten wrote:Knockout blow from Gill, there. Not far off the mark to be fair. As it became more popular it was always going to attract people who latch onto the latest fashion statement. The best part of that article is Gill saying we have got £95m to spend this summer. Wonder how much that goes down to after the season ticket renewal date. Full interview: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 84930.html

Robbie Rotten wrote:Knockout blow from Gill, there. Not far off the mark to be fair. As it became more popular it was always going to attract people who latch onto the latest fashion statement. The best part of that article is Gill saying we have got £95m to spend this summer. Wonder how much that goes down to after the season ticket renewal date. Full interview: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/foot ... 84930.html

Regarding the Ballack/Boateng spat, surely it's just nepotism. Boateng's just making sure his brother gets a starting spot in the German side.

Lets all remember the 39 who tragically lost their lives 25 years ago.You'll never be forgotten.

echo what your saying there

They seem to be trying to achieve two conflicting objectives at the same time, protecting clubs from getting into financial difficulties and creating a level playing field.

On the subject of the over reliance on one benefactor, the problem seems to me that many of those individuals have turned out to have feet of clay. When it came down to it they haven't had the fortune at their disposal that they'd originally claimed. In those cases where they really do have the money ie Abramovich and Mansoor, its a different matter. Even if those individuals eventually lose their appetite for football its not going to be in their financial interest to shaft the clubs they've bought. They would be better off selling them as competitive going concerns rather than trying to strip out any value from the club. I'd be surprised if Mansoor still owns City in 10 years time, but I still expect the club to be stronger for his involvement. Hence I think any proposals from UEFA to prevent genuinely wealthy owners from putting money into football will ultimately fail.

Well said feller

speaking of which,you need a word with your owners

What happens if one of these backers dies or has their assets frozen? Given the circles those kind of people mix in, it's not that unlikely.