Im_Spartacus wrote:john68 wrote:Two events that need flagging up in the last few days:
1...Reported in Friday's Chinner's Bollox, a joint statement from UeFA and the European Commission concerning "Fair Competition.
2...The agreement announced jointly by UeFA and the ECA in Istanbul on a variety of matters.
We know the FFP were designed to ensure the old G14 group secured their places at the trough by shutting the door on newcomers with new money and we also know that from their very aggressive announcement some time ago. UeFA have been continuously and slowly softening the hard tone of the words they have used, almost but not quite, backtracking. We know too that at a meeting held by legal eagles in Manchester and attended by legal representatives from most major English football clubs, it was considered that UeFA would have difficulty implementing hard line penalties such as banning clubs from competition.
Though I have yet to read through the new statement, my 1st thoughts are that UeFA have sought help from the European Commission to strengthen their hand to assert and implement their authority by going to the very top. The European Commission have the power to propose new legislation and should they do so, UeFA would then have the backing of European Law.
The EU cannot bar a private individual spending money on whatsoever they want. It is that simple, they cannot impose sanctions on football clubs for this. As i have said previously on the matter, the paralell is those businesses who invest heavily in year 1-5 for a longer term return where they may not see profit or break even for a decade. The principle being suggested would suggest that such a restriction on a football club would be unlawful as it would not be applied to other business sectors and thus is a restraint of trade
If they want to do this properly, the only real option is to introduce a continent-wide salary cap based on the standard of the league in which you play. Although it would in an instant resolve the so called "problem", it would introduce the one thing they are trying to avoid, which is that talent will just go and establish itself in the middle east and asia.
john68 wrote:Spartacus,
Having had a little more time to ponder on your point about restraint of trade, could you clarify this for me please.
I don't see UeFA or anybody else attempting to govern our business strategies. I understand that as a private company, we have every right to pursue whatever financial strategies we think fit.
My question is solely about UeFA having the power to sanction us if we pursue our financial strategies outside the criteria they set for entrance to their competitions. Your point suggests not, due to restraint of trade.
The French FA already have a set of criteria for entrance each season into their top division (possibly lower divisions too) and prior to each season, the books of each club are inspected to ensure they are balanced within the FFA's criteria.
I am not certain but have been led to believe the Germans have a similar thing going on too.
In rugby League, clubs applying for SuperLeague status have to fit certain criteria laid down or be disallowed from getting a franchise.
SuperLeague clubs also have to adhere to a salary cap, laid down by the ruling body.
All the above are examples of ruling bodies laying down criteria that have to be met to gain admision to various sports competitions. Why would it then be impossible for UeFA to do the same?
Ta.
Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Fascinating thread John; just a pity that the contents are so frightening for football.
Return to The Maine Football forum
Users browsing this forum: Blue In Bolton, carl_feedthegoat, Google [Bot], Indianablue, johnnyondioline, Majestic-12 [Bot], Nickyboy, Nigels Tackle and 134 guests