It's early days but at least it sounds as though something will be done eventually. However, from a quick read of the recommendations and responses from MPs I'm not convinced: either that there is the political will to get this done or that the recommendations will lead to improvements where most needed.
It seems there will be no legislation until 2023 and who knows how long it will take after enactment to set up the Independent Regulator! How many more clubs will go into serious decline in the meantime?
A fairer distribution of wealth will apparently be on an agenda of sorts. Well and good but "Football should seek to resolve distribution issues itself" or failing that the Prem and EFL should "commission research to find a solution." And there you have it. In other words vested interests (Prem clubs) will ensure watered down proposals which will preserve their own status and wealth. Reading between the lines it does appear that parachute payments could be intended to be scrapped but I'm not convinced it will happen. Billionaire owners are ruining the game by dishing out ludicrous and ever-increasing transfer fees and wages which completely distort the market and prevent proper, fair competition. This will be made worse if Man City sign Haaland and it will make it nigh on impossible for the Prem to give up parachute payments voluntarily. Ownership is a crucial part of all this. It's all very well having tests of suitability, finance etc but until your Saudi countries, Mansours, Abramovitches etc are prevented from owning clubs there will never be fair competition. So how do you control these owners? Can you stop them from buying football clubs? Why should they be stopped if the likes of China can purchase foreign-owned companies? Is this all part of the concept of a free market?
The recommendations are detailed and well-intentioned but I can see the whole process getting bogged down in legislation, the rules to be set up to establish the Independent Regulator and all the other incidental requirements needing clarification and oversight. I really hope something good comes out of all this but I'm not holding my breath.
Meantime it seems the EFL have changed their rules to help clubs get through the financial impact of covid. Does this mean that those clubs formerly in danger of breaching FFP will now be safe? Was DCFC the sacrificial lamb?
Fan-led review's recommendations
posted on 25/4/22
I do think it was "personal" with the EFL & DCFC Chicago. As I said before, the information I had from "an insider" said that when Derby had submitted their accounts they were approved by the EFL. Mel then apparently upset the EFL and so we got the extra 9 points. Anyway the EFL have got what they want.
If they think that the Championship is a better place with the likes of Rotherham & Wycombe instead of Derby and Wednesday then they really do have their heads up their own asres.
With regards to changes in the Leagues then the biggest example is the uneven playing field that is the Championship. 4 years of parachute payments for "failure". Do me a favour.
I dont condone what Mel did in the slightest with regards to the running of the club, but whilst this uneven playing field exists then owners with a Cavalier attitude to running things will "shoot for the moon"....and tbh I can understand it when the prize is the reputedly £200m prize of the premiership. UTR. Cheers. Terry.
posted on 25/4/22
Hi, Terry.
To back up your point Radio Derby, during one of the moan-ins played a tape of a telephone conversation. I can't remember exactly who the participants were except that Rick Parry was one of them. Maybe a journalist was the other. Parry confirmed that Middlesborough wanted to sue EFL because of DCFC's rule breaking which allegedly cost M a play-off place. P said that EFL asked M not to sue them but to go against DCFC instead as the EFL regs allow clubs to issue proceedings against other clubs. Maybe Wycombe received a similar suggestion.
It is quite clear that officials from certain clubs put pressure on EFL (eg threats of legal action) to throw the book at us and this in all probability occasioned the revisiting of those accounts which had already passed scrutiny.
I am absolutely certain that EFL wanted to make an example out of some club or other and DCFC conveniently dropped into their lap. As you say, Terry - EFL have now achieved exactly what they wanted - the relegation of DCFC.
posted on 26/4/22
And already the vested interest of the Premiership is kicking in: "We see no need for an independent regulator."
posted on 26/4/22
But there is a little more hope now that something really will be done following Government announcements yesterday. Either the Prem will distribute far more to the lower leagues or they will be forced to do so by the I R or failing that, further legislation. It also seems that parachutes may be abolished.
Not before time!!!
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