Uefa boss to scrutinise Manchester City's Etihad deal
The Etihad deal is "unique and long-term investment", say City Manchester City's sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways will be analysed by Uefa's financial fair play (FFP) boss.
In a 10-year deal reportedly worth £400m, Etihad now sponsors both the club's shirt and the stadium.
But with City and Etihad sharing Abu Dhabi links, critics have claimed this is an attempt to circumvent European football's strict new financial rules.
City declined to reply, although the club have previously said speculation over the figures was "not accurate".
It is not enough to say 'we've got a sponsorship contract and that's OK' if the contract is out of line
Jean-Luc Dehaene
Uefa Club Financial Control Panel
"I have some questions, yes," said Jean-Luc Dehaene, the chairman of Uefa's Club Financial Control Panel.
"But it would be dangerous for our authority if we take judgements without facts."
The 71-year-old former Prime Minister of Belgium confirmed his panel would "benchmark" all deals to make sure they were "fair value".
"If we see clubs that are looking for loopholes we will act," he said.
"It is not enough to say 'we've got a sponsorship contract and that's OK' if the contract is out of line."
As well as the shirt and stadium, Etihad also sponsors The Etihad Campus which is being developed around the ground. This will create an expanded academy, sports science centre and training ground, as well as office and retail space and a 7,000-seat stadium for youth games.
All of this investment is exempt from the FFP rules as it is not deemed football-related. Any income accrued, however, does count.
Clubs hoping to take part in the Champions or Europa Leagues must balance their football-related expenditure over a three-year period
This is the first season that counts towards the 2013/14 assessment but clubs will be allowed to make a loss of 45m euros (£39.4m) over the three years, falling to 30m euros from 2015/16.
It is not until 2018 that clubs have to bring their annual losses below £8.8m.
The ultimate sanction for any club that fails to comply with the FFP criteria is a ban from European competition.
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport on Monday, City's chief executive Gary Cook said the deal was "unique".
"The Ethihad Campus, which constitutes some 210 acres is unique in its breadth, depth and length of term," he said.
"It involves the tradition, which is shirt sponsorship, the naming rights of the stadium, but what we haven't seen in football is a campus, creating a place to be, to work.
"We've got a great relationship with Ethihad. It's a long-term programme and they are equally very excited by it."
Cook added that City's recent spending was "not sustainable" but was needed to quickly attain Champions League football.
Manchester City have been the focus of intense scrutiny ever since an Abu Dhabi-based consortium led by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought the club in 2008.
The club made a loss of £93m in 2008-09, £121m in 2009-10 and last year's figures, due in September, are expected to be even worse, despite an increase in turnover partly due to a number of lucrative sponsorship deals with other Abu Dhabi-based companies.
Etihad Airways, for example, is owned by the Abu Dhabi government. The oil-rich state's ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is Sheikh Mansour's half-brother
'I hope this is the start of something big'
Sergio Aguero looking to build on sensational Manchester City debut
The 23-year-old striker showed why the club paid £38 million for his services with a brace against Swansea and intends to keep thanking fans for their support with his displays
Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is hoping to build on his impressive start to life in the Premier League.
The Argentine arrived at the Etihad Stadium for a club-record fee of £38 million last month and showed why City valued him so highly by coming off the bench in Monday's 4-0 win over Swansea and scoring two goals whilst setting up another.
The striker was an unused substitute in the Community Shield match the weekend before, but made the most of his debut and is hoping he can keep his form going as the season unfolds.
The 23-year-old told the club's official website: “I am happy. The start was really good and I want to keep like this.
“It was nice. I had a chance to play a little bit and I enjoyed it.
“I helped the team and I want to keep doing the same in the future.”
He added on Twitter: “I am very happy with my City debut. I hope this is the start of something big. I would like to thank my teammates for helping me and the fans for the support.”
The former Atletico Madrid star was thought by many to be a replacement for the talismanic Carlos Tevez, who is looking for a move away from Eastlands.
However, with no transfer apparently on the cards, the Argentina duo could form a new partnership up front for City.
The new signing is still regaining his fitness after this summer’s Copa America and will continue to be used sparingly by manager Roberto Mancini until he is fully fit.
Aguero said: “He knows how I am and it was okay for me to play 30-35 minutes.”
On the good reception he received from fans, the striker continued: “The only way for me to thank them is on the pitch and keep doing what I do best.”
Balotelli uses T-shirt to specify love for City rather than Manchester
In the wake of last week's riots, Man City players wore "I (heart) MCR" shirts ahead of their first match of the season at home against Swansea City on Monday night. Mario Balotelli recently made it clear that he does not heart Manchester, though. He told Sky Sports Italia (via the Manchester Evening News):
"I'm not happy in Manchester, I don't like the city," he said.
"Everything's okay with the coach and my team-mates, but the city is not to my taste.
"Do I miss Milan? No, I miss my home, Brescia. I miss my family and friends. I can think of this experience as one of personal growth."
So, for Mario to wear an I love Manchester shirt would be dishonest and if there's one thing Mario isn't, it's dishonest. Instead of refusing to wear the shirt, though, he got creative with it. Using a blue pen, he added the word "City" under the "MCR." A nice touch from Mario. Yet the most amazing part of this is that he he was able to put the shirt on without confusing himself unlike that blasted bib.
Kun Aguero, meanwhile, left his shirt in its original state and ended up scoring two goals after coming on for the final half hour of City's 4-0 win. According to some of the more excitable corners of the media, he is now the greatest player of all time.
Spurs' next signing must be a striker
Harry Redknapp is under orders to make his next Tottenham signing a striker.
Chairman Levy wants Spurs' manager to use the club's available cash on a hitman, then do some selling before bringing in the other players he is chasing.
Levy is running the White Hart Lane side's transfer activity with a tighter rein that ever this summer.
He plans to begin their dealings by completing a swoop for Manchester City’s misfit striker Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adebayor is expected at White Hart Lane once the clubs agree how to pay his massive wages.
Although it will be a loan deal, the arrangement will probably cost Tottenham around £5million for a season.
Levy is also willing to take Joey Barton on a free, however Redknapp’s interest in the controversial Newcastle midfielder has cooled dramatically.
The Spurs boss prefers Scott Parker, but Levy won’t let him close a £7m deal for the West Ham skipper.
Garry Cook silent on speculation over Nasri deal to Manchester City
City chief executive Garry Cook has refused to be drawn on the possibility of Samir Nasri joining the club from Arsenal.
The 24-year-old midfielder has been linked with a £25m move to City and he could be set to follow Cesc Fabregas out of the Emirates after the Spaniard joined Barcelona yesterday.
The France international has yet to pen a new deal with the Gunners, and so could leave on a free transfer next summer.
The transfer window closes at the end of the month but Cook would not add to the speculation although neither did he deny the deal could materialise.
Cook said: “We always try not to disclose anything – obviously he’s still an Arsenal player and we need to respect that.
“So, unfortunately, I will refrain from giving an update on that.”
As well as Nasri, the future of Carlos Tevez has been the subject of speculation with the Argentina international linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium for months.
Last month, a proposed £40m move to Brazilian side Corinthians failed to materialise and the player has been linked with Inter Milan for some time.
However, Cook claimed there had been no contact with the Italian club and believes Tevez will still be with City next month playing alongside summer signing Sergio Aguero.
Cook said: “He is still a City player and to see him playing alongside Aguero is going to be pretty exciting for all the City fans.”
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Chelsea are considering a move for Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles, but may also table an improved offer for Spurs playmaker Luka Modric. Daily Mail
Or Chelsea will offer £30m cash or £27m plus midfielder Yossi Benayoun for Luka Modric. The Sun
Arsenal have clauses in the transfer of Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona giving them first option to buy him back - and also to half of any fee if they opt not to buy the midfielder and Barca sell him elsewhere. Daily Mirror
The Gunners may turn their attentions to out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole, according to reports. fanatix.com
Spurs target Falcao, Porto's 25-year-old Colombian striker, is thought to favour a move to Atletico Madrid. talkSHIT
Following the departure of Robbie Keane, Peter Crouch could also be leaving White Hart Lane with Fulham thought to be interested in signing the England striker.Metro
Chelsea are rumoured to be rivalling Manchester City for the services of Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri. fanatix.com
West Brom are planning to demand £8m for striker Peter Odemwingie, after rejecting a £4m offer from Wigan. Daily Mail
Liverpool will reportedly offer £10m plus midfielder Christian Poulsen in a bid to bring Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross to Anfield. caughtoffside
Manchester United are to make a £14m bid for Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote. caughtoffside
Newcastle are thought to be interested in signing Bristol City's Nicky Maynard, with manager Alan Pardew set to offer the Robins £4.5m plus Leon Best. footieonline
Championship side Leicester are contemplating a £3m move for Everton striker Jermaine Beckford. Daily Mirror
Bolton are to offer Liverpool £4m plus add-ons for striker David Ngog, and are also in talks with Man City over winger Shaun Wright- Phillips. The Times
Striker Nicolas Anelka allegedly wants to leave Chelsea after being left on the bench for last weekend's draw at Stoke. Daily Mirror
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel will be allowed to miss the club's game with West Brom this weekend following his father Michael's kidnapping in Nigeria. Metro
Hamburg's Dutch winger Eljero Elia has reportedly rejected a move to Juventus and is thought to favour Arsenal or Chelsea. insidefutbol
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has brushed off criticism from Andre Villas-Boas, claiming Chelsea are just as physical as his Stoke side. footieonline
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists the team will not disintegrate following the departure of Cesc Fabregas, and reveals he has not given up hope of persuading Samir Nasri to stay with the Gunners. talkSHIT
Johann Cruyff's grandson Jessua, a 17-year-old left-sided defender, is poised to sign for Wigan. talkSHIT
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott has angered Fabio Capello after criticising the England manager's man-management techniques in his new book. Guardian
Despite haggling the fee for Cesc Fabregas down to £35m, the former Arsenal captain has had a €200m release clause inserted in his new five-year contract at Barcelona. Metro
Fabregas has also now been issued with his official place in the dressing room between David Villa and Xavi - which is not the one promised to him by Gerard Pique. Metro
Those wondering who the new lady on the Chelsea bench was at Stoke can be informed it was reserve team doctor Eva Carneiro. Daily Mail
Mali international striker Modibo Maiga is refusing to play for his club Sochaux in a bid to force through a £7m move to Newcastle. Daily Mail
Striker Hugo Rodallega faces being frozen out of Wigan's first-team - because he is refusing to sign a new deal. Daily Mirror
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City "could be" & no doubt "will be" our main threat this season for the title
On last night's performance our nearest rivals, Manchester City, look a "Real" threat. New signing Sergio Aguero just looks like he can score goals for fun and this was one area where they were weak last season.
I think Arsenal will be lucky to finish within the top five this season, never mind the top two or three.
Chelsea we can never count out, as they have the experience and the talent, but they are an ageing team and it remains to be seen whether they still have enough left in the tank.
Liverpool: I just don't see it at all. Week-in, week-out I think they will drop too many points away from home.
Without us going back into the market for a world class midfielder, someone like Wesley Sneijder to help out with pulling the strings for our attacking players, I'm worried we could fall short this season.
The only good thing is that City are now in the Champions League, so they will learn quickly - just like Tottenham did playing mid-week European games then away games to Stoke, Bolton etc - that maintaining the fight on all fronts is not going to be easy.
We have mastered this over the years and Sir Alex Ferguson knows how to play a winning team for a Tuesday or Wednesday night game and then put out a team that can beat Premier League opposition on a Saturday afternoon.
If Arsenal do not beat Udinese and fail to qualify for the Champions League then maybe they will push for a spot within the top four. But if they do not have that slight advantage over City then I think they will finish in fifth or maybe even 6th. But if I'm honest I think Udinese will beat them over the two legs (that's where my moneys going anyway).
Thoughts and comments welcome. http://www.not606.com/content.php/1195- ... -the-title
