5 Comments
Feb 15Liked by More Than A Game

Well explained. State funded / owned football clubs have eroded fair competition and until the elephant in the room is addressed nothing will change. Even club's with high turnover will become plucky little x or y as they fail to match State funded club's wealth.

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Feb 15Liked by More Than A Game

The creation of this rule alongside a related party restriction on sponsorship will probably restrain state owned clubs who haven’t achieved elite status.

One would expect such clubs though (Newcastle United?) to seek innovative ways of circumventing the restrictions including, as others may have done, deception followed by an aggressive response to enforcement.

Alternatively and as you imply John those with deep pockets could grow revenues quickly and ‘pay the fines’ until like Man City they’re legitimately out of reach.

It seems likely that lawyers and accountants will continue to make hay in this environment and use their skills to increasingly influence sporting outcomes before and after the fact.

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Feb 15Liked by More Than A Game

At first pass this reminds me of the "luxury tax" Major League Baseball instituted a while back to limit the advantage of the big spenders. It will be interesting to see how this affects the balance between EPL and the other European leagues. Always love B-W-B

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Feb 15Liked by More Than A Game

You’re not wrong Dave, this could indeed be referred to as a luxury tax and in isolation heavily funded clubs could simply clamber over others to reach the top.

It will be fascinating to see if complimentary rules can be used effectively to eliminate breaches.

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Feb 15Liked by More Than A Game

Spot on JB

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