Here is your weekly financial football news round-up to keep you up to date with all things financial football! This is your round-up for the week commencing 15th January 2018, featuring Newcastle, Manchester United, Huddersfield, UEFA, Chelsea and Brighton.
Brighton Financial Results Released – Analysed by FFN
Brighton released their financial accounts for the promotion winning 16/17 season. The accounts saw losses grow by 50% despite record revenue as the club ambitiously sought Premier League football and set to reap the rewards in next years accounts – full analysis here.
Financial Fair Play 2.0?
French newspaper Le Parisien are reporting that reforms on Financial Fair Play are looming due to Historically large clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern dissatisfied with the current rules.
There are various changes being considered with a major one being to limit spending that isn’t matched by increased revenue to EUR 100m. This would be of particularly difficulty to the ‘new rich’ who won’t be a able to spend large sums without a rise in revenues first.
Sanctions to control debt are also under consideration that would specifically target debt heavy Manchester United.
A limit may also be imposed on limiting players at a club to stop the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea stockpiling youth players the loaning them in the hope of profiting in the future.
There is also took of redefining the meaning of ‘related parties’ in order to reduce the ways owners can pump money into the club without raising Financial Fair Play Issues. Manchester City and PSG both have large deals with Etihad and Abu Dhabi respectively, who are both related to their owners.
UEFA are due to vote on a reform on 24th May with a draft report rumoured to have already been created.
Newcastle Sale Stalemate
The long running saga involving the sale of Newcastle by Mike Ashley to Amanda Staveley continues to rumble, with talks currently hitting a roadblock and no sale in sight any time soon after a £250m offer was rejected. The current plight of the troubled Geordie side cannot of given prospective owners much confidence in taking over, with Mike Ashley not wanting to reflect this in his pricing.
This is also a difficult time for the manager Rafa Benitez, who is experiencing uncertainty in terms of transfer money available to spend in a bid to move the club clear of the relegation zone, something their owner will want to do but not a huge costs that will dent any sale proceeds he may gain.
Huddersfield Hydrated By Coco Fuzion 100
Huddersfield have announced another commercial partnership with drinks company Coco Fuzion becoming their official hydration partner. The company produces carbonated coconut water drinks that naturally hydrate consumers with the electrolytes it contains.
The brand fits well with the Huddersfield playing style who will need a great deal of hydrating due to the all action pressing style the club implements.
This is the latest in a number of commercial deal Huddersfield have signed, taking advantage of their new found Premier League status.
Oops I Did It Again! – Chelsea Back In Trouble Over Youth Players
Fifa are reported to be investigating Chelsea for the third time in eight years for possible breaches of signing under-age players. The club deny any wrongdoing.
Previously the club have been banned for two transfer windows when in 2009, they were sanctioned for the purchase of Gael Kakuta, the ban was successfully overturned on appeal however.
Fifa have been a lot tougher on such punishments recently with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico all receiving bans in recent years and Chelsea will hope they have not fallen foul of the rules to avoid a similar fate.
Man United Striker SIS Partnership
Manchester United have signed a three-year partnership with Science In Sport (SIS), a sport nutrition company based in Lancashire. This represents another major coup for the company, with Manchester United become the 10th Premier League club to sign with the sport nutritionist.
As part of the deal SIS will provide Man Utd with a dedicated performance nutritionist, as well as installing a Fuel Station within the club’s training ground, giving players and staff direct exposure to SIS products at all times.
UEFA Release Huge Report On Football Landscape
UEFA last week released their annual report analysing the financial performance of all clubs in the 55 UEFA member associations in the 2016 financial year. The report details areas such as fan support, sponsorship, transfers and wages plus more. Stay tuned for analysis of this interesting report over the next week.
