MEP criticises UEFA football finance shake-up

Date published: 02 June 2010

UEFA’s planned shake-up of football finance will stifle competition and further entrench club debt, said MEP Paul Nuttall today.

European Football’s governing body wants to reduce the amount of money foreign owners can pour into clubs, which should only be allowed to spend what they earn.

Responding to the new measures, Mr Nuttall, UKIP Euro MP for the North West, said, “This is little more than big club stitch-up that will preserve the status quo.”

Mr Nuttall, who played for Tranmere Rovers until injury ended his football career, added, “The established big clubs with the largest fan base and biggest stadiums naturally take the most revenue, so under these proposals they will be able to continue to spend the most money each season.

“Will this deter big investors getting involved in football? Probably, as there will be a cap on large cash injections from benefactors.

"Therefore, if this policy had been in place fifteen years ago, a club like Blackburn certainly would not have been transformed into a Premiership winning outfit. Clubs with ‘new money’ but smaller revenues, such as Manchester City, will undoubtedly be the losers.

“This new policy is about established clubs across Europe cementing their position and eradicating potential competition from clubs with new money, " said Mr Nuttall.