If this goes through..

[FC Brugge]

Then City are well and truely F*cked

Abramovich keen to stop big-spending City - Europe - ESPN Soccernet

The Russian is backing Platini's plan that proposes clubs can only spend what they earn in football revenues and that any club which does not balance the books in the next three years could be kicked out of European competitions.

The UEFA chief said: "It's mainly the owners that asked us to do something: Roman Abramovich, Silvio Berlusconi [Milan] , Massimo Moratti [Internazionale]. They do not want to fork out any more.

"Manchester City can spend £300m if they want to but if they are not breaking even in three years then they cannot play in European competition. I haven't spoken to Manchester City about this and I don't remember meeting their owner, but I'm sure I will. Roman Abramovich is a football person and passionate about the game. He loves football. He has come to me and said that we must do something about this."

They've spent 120m this summer, I don't see them breaking even in three years, do you? Really hope this goes through.

Love the irony of this coming from Abramovich though.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It's a good move for me, but it is interesting that its come about now as I very much doubt Chelsea would have been able to do it when he first joined them. You could easily see City arguing that they're only doing what he did when he first came to England.

 

[FC Brugge]

It's a good move for me, but it is interesting that its come about now as I very much doubt Chelsea would have been able to do it when he first joined them. You could easily see City arguing that they're only doing what he did when he first came to England.

True, but he got immediate results, winning the League twice in a row, FA cup, Carling Cup, final of the Champions league. They sustained losses no doubt, but he's been able to make Chelsea a way bigger brand than it was, and he's probably on his way to getting some nice profits off the top, if not now then within a couple of years. I don't see City getting that far anytime soon, especially not within 3 years.

 

[Goat]

What a bloody joke, Football is becoming worse.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

True, but he got immediate results, winning the League twice in a row, FA cup, Carling Cup, final of the Champions league. They sustained losses no doubt, but he's been able to make Chelsea a way bigger brand than it was, and he's probably on his way to getting some nice profits off the top, if not now then within a couple of years. I don't see City getting that far anytime soon, especially not within 3 years.

The only way he'll make a profit is if he sells them. I wonder if there will come a point where the cow can only be milked so much, although no doubt owners will point to emerging markets such as the far-east as being potentially very lucrative if they can ever sell a tv deal out there.

What a bloody joke, Football is becoming worse.

Which bit do you disagree with? We will never be competitive as long as clubs such as Man City, Chelsea and Real Madrid can spend money they don't have (unless of course we get a sugar daddy of our own)

 

[Goat]

I know Bruce, but Chelsea have been spending way above their means since forever, Blackburn before them and now becuase City have more money than anybody they want to change the rules. Its ok for Chelsea, they have got the foundations down, the Chelsea Village and such. But what about other clubs? What about us? When the Arab comes in and saves us? It will all be for nothing.

 

[bluebastardo]

They should have done something years ago regarding the differences in wealth between clubs.

Big clubs earn more because they have been allowed to dominate their respective leagues because of very obvious reasons.

All very hypocritical.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I know Bruce, but Chelsea have been spending way above their means since forever, Blackburn before them and now becuase City have more money than anybody they want to change the rules. Its ok for Chelsea, they have got the foundations down, the Chelsea Village and such. But what about other clubs? What about us? When the Arab comes in and saves us? It will all be for nothing.

If someone does come in for us (and it seems a big if) it still doesn't make it right. I've no problem at all with clubs spending more than others, that's only natural and I'd be loathe to have a salary cap like in other sports because no incentive is given to clubs to generate extra income. But the point is that the income has to be generated by them, it's not right for clubs to spend millions in excess of their turnover.

 

[Goat]

It also smacks of Racism. As soon as the Arabs move into the game they want to change the rules. Stinks to me.

 

[chicoazul]

Posted via Mobile Device
Did you play a racism card there?

 

[Goat]

I know, im ashamed myself.

 

[bluebastardo]

It also smacks of Racism. As soon as the Arabs move into the game they want to change the rules. Stinks to me.

 

[davek]

This is why they closed the blue room down. Rampant racism.

 

[FC Brugge]

This is why they closed the blue room down. Rampant racism.

sssshhhht be quiet they might hear you and shut us down too, we can't use the 'r'-word

 

[ChicagoToffee]

The EPL could follow the NFL model with a straight salary cap. It keeps wages somewhat in check but most importantly, it creates parity by preventing teams with oodles of cash from buying up everyone available. Seems to be working well for the NFL but it is a league unto its own - there are no other professional American football leagues. Just us.

Salary caps would be impossible in European football - too many leagues, transfers easily between leagues, divisions within national leagues. A little too much "harmonization" methinks.