I'm sure SSN reported yesterday that Reading had lost in excess of £40 million last season. I thought that FFP only allowed a loss of £39 million before sanctions kick in. When are the ELF going to bring these cheats to task and take a leaf out of Rugby Union's book and relegate them automatically?
Simple solution. Transfer fees must be paid in full before player registration is allowed to be transferred by the fa. Add-ons for appearances goals etc banned. Only add-ons allowed are for promotion and all promotion add-ons just be paid before any new transfer is allowed. Any repayable loan or gift to a football club must be registered with the fa before it is signed. Only one loan allowed to be taken out by a football club at a time
I really struggle with the concept that a football club that spends too much money "cheats" I mean if your pub team fields Wayne Rooney cos he fancies your grandma is that cheating? Effectively spending more money MIGHT mean fielding better players than you should - but it doesn't feel like proper cheating. It doesn't' feel the same kind of cheating as a player taking steroids or a player diving for a penalty. However I agree that any club failing to show good financial management meaning they go into administration should be dumped - even to the conference for me. I dont' even think that's a punishment for the fans - a few years winning everything in site - it's character building - those things that real fans look back on over a 60 year football watching career with nostalgia. I bet Rangers in 20 years time will look at their time in the lower leagues with some fondness after what feels like 120 years finishing first of second in the Scottish Premier. I also think that football clubs should not be able to borrow money from anyone but a bank. I think an owner should be able to give a club money - but only a proper reputable bank should be able to lend a club money. That would sort it out.
I really don't understand why that's not a thing. Maybe this is just me and how I manage my personal money, but with the exception of a mortgage, or car, if you can't afford it, you can't have it, it's that simple surely?
That’s just how it is tbh . I don’t know this but maybe if a four mill asking price was met the buying club may say we’ll give you five payable over four years .pretty much like a credit card .
Yes then they get massively in debt as they can't pay back the credit card fees from 8 or 9 different clubs. Its shocking that it's allowed
According to the latest accounts filed at Companies House, Reading lost just over £30m in the year to 30 June 2019. The previous year, the club lost almost £21m, but the year before that, it made a profit of almost £5m. Clubs are allowed to lose £39m over 3 years before they contravene the EFL rules, but those rules exclude some expenses from that calculation (e.g academy expenses), so it is not quite so straight forward as adding up the losses. Over the period of 3 years, Reading has lost £46m, but over that period, it has been selling off its Fixed Assets (ground and training facilities) to associated companies at inflated prices in order to create profits to offset some of their losses. In 2019, they sold assets with a book value of almost £3m for £13m, thereby reducing their losses by £10m. In 2018, they sold assets with a book value of £20m for £26m, thereby reducing their losses by £6m. When the total (£16m) is added back to losses over the 3 years, the total loss before inter group transactions is £62m. Reading Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday have all used this ruse in order to reduce their losses. I think the EFL are on to it, but because these hugely rich foreign owners are extremely litigious, they must tread carefully, or risk losing a load of cash through the courts and legal fees. Frankly, there must be a better way, but remember that the clubs must agree to a change of rules, and those wanting to spend their way to the Premier League probably would not do so.
I think when a club signs a player they should have his contract in their coffers too. If they don't have the wages in the bank without TV money they shouldn't sign players.
Too many owners piling up debt to reach their goal. Some as if playing with a toy. How many actually are fans of the clubs they want to take on. Very few I’d imagine. Notable exceptions become immersed. Eg the Leicester chairman who appeared to be lauded by the club and fans alike. Punish those that build up debts. I do not believe for one minute that chansiri built up a debt not to fail. And will continue to create debt until he reaches his goal which are the riches of the premier league. Which in turn removes the competitiveness of the league. Via the haves and have nots. I would like to see maximum ticket prices throughout each league. And stop the Wendies. Weeds n ipswiches taking the piss out of fans. both home and away support. Happens Once, relegate. Twice, throw em out. Should not only be the Burys of this world. EFL “ Grow some ******** and make an example “
Surely if the FA grew a pair, and took over and said these are the rules instead of allowing the EFL & PL to set their own, it would soon sort it out. Really simple rules, with clarity and no ambiguity and a couple of years to comply by. Appreciate there is a risk of the leagues threatening to go alone but if they did and weren’t allowed affiliation with FIFA would the player go, probably not the majority.
It’s £39 million over a rolling 3 years, so if for example last season they broke even and the season before they made £1 million, they’re still fine. Not saying that’s what happened, but could be an answer
I agree in principle with what you say but in England the FA have held no control or power over the PL for many years. I think we are seeing something similar with the EFL and Championship clubs. Sad state of affairs, I don't understand why Football is exempt from normal business, finance and employment rules and practices. Perhaps they aren't but it just appears that way to people on the outside
Yeah I know, it’s always been said the FA were basically told by PL, tolerate us or we are off on our own and cited Darts as an example and this has gradually been seeping down. The one good thing from this (for football) is the authorities could use it to reset everything, but I doubt they will.
