How about a whole new approach, like a handicap system to make it crystal clear the outcome each season on sustainability. For instance, set out the following punishments prior to any losses each season. Administration = Relegation, plus could be removed from league like Bury if not resolved. Agree then the following will apply based on overall profit/loss each season. Clubs must submit accounts by same set date. Then punishment based on loss..levelling the playing field! Points to be deducted end of season. Losses under 750k = No penalty. > 750k and <= £1.25m (1 point penalty) >£1.25m and <= £2m (3 points penalty) >£2m and <= £3m (5 points penalty) >£3m and <=£3.5m (6 points penalty) >£3.5m and <=£4m (8 points deduction) >£4m and <= £5m (10 points deduction) >£5m and <=£6m (12 points deduction). >£6m and <=£10m (15 point deduction + Transfer Embargo for following season) >£10m (15 point deduction + Barred from promotion this season +Transfer Embargo for following season) We need to force football back to reality, even Barnsley would have to run a tighter ship to ensure that they run a club as a realistic business interest ie - break even. I suspect forcing stringent rules on teams may also pave the way for clubs similar to ours to be indeed run successfully by the local community associations. Bring football back to the fans, clubs need to see TV money etc as an addition to their finances not the core for survival. Relying on TV deals will ultimately equal the end of the football league. We already had the warning shot from ITV digital fiasco, yet football ignored this warning. Yes, I know the premier league would never sign up to this, let them go bust eventually if that is the path they wish to take. Let the EFL sign a much less lucrative deal with a free to air broadcaster and again re-connect football to the fans. Championship downwards though something needs to happen quickly.
It doesn't matter how stringent the FFP rules are, if the governing bodies do not implement them, selectively implement them, or they are easily overturned. I don't remember one punishment, in any sport, where the arbitrators have upheld the original penalty. As many people have previously stated, the whole system is biased, with the "Big" clubs getting away with everything, and only "Small" clubs suffering consequences. It sucks!
I think salary cap in every league other than the Premier League (for the simple reason teams could not compete with Europe). I feel it would be better for our national teams too (Scotland, Wales & NI as well). There may need to be some allowance made for relegated teams for a year or so, but in the long run player contracts must have a clause taking wages to championship level maximum on relegation.
That's it, right there in 5 words. Until someone or something else forces clubs to go bust, they will carry on regardless. The rules are a minor irritation to most club owners. How long have we been waiting for Bolton to implode? If Covid doesn't bring about any meaningful changes, nothing will. And despite Red Rain's expectations, I will be gobsmacked if anything much comes of the Wednesday hearing. Football is as bent as a nine bob note.
I have written and researched extensively on this subject. It is not an easy one. The one conclusion that I have reached is that any system must relate the points total this season to the financial management this season. The first problem with the current system is that it does not do that. The clubs have chosen to base the current system on the Annual Financial Statements, but they do not have to be published until 9 months after the Year End. For Barnsley, a club that has a year end of 31 May, that means that Financial Statements are not published until 1 March the following year. The current Sheffield Wednesday year end is 31 July, which means that their accounts do not have to be published until 1 May the following year. The case currently being dealt with by the EFL relates to the 2017-18 season. If they are to be punished, it would be on the basis of a financial result that is 2 years old. One of the reasons that Sheffield Wednesday thought that they could get away with it is because if your overspending results in promotion to the Premier League, the EFL cannot touch you until you return to the Championship. Thus, Wolves lost almost £60m in their promotion year, but they are beyond EFL jurisdiction. I am convinced that Sheffield Wednesday thought that they could emulate them. You should also note that your scale of punishments is nowhere near broad enough. Although the Wolves result was exceptional, it is not unusual for a club to lose well over £30m in a single season. In my view, the SCMP system in the lower leagues is much fairer. It compares spending on player wages to turnover. It forces clubs to keep that relationship to 60%, and the ongoing percentage is under constant review throughout the season. However, the EFL does not impose these rules arbitrarily. The clubs have to agree the rules before they can be approved and implemented. The question is, would Championship chairmen think it was in their best interests to support any plan that did not allow them to chase their dream. There is the problem.
By the way, Sheffield Wednesday have still not submitted their Annual Accounts for 2019. They are now over 2 months overdue.
I got done for speeding 3 months ago. I admitted I broke the rules. Got my letter the other day. I held my hands up and I'll take the 3 points and fine....... I didn't try try and make out it was my mate driving..... I didn't ask for the fine and points to be reduced or delayed until next year. I got done and took it on the chin. I just wish the FA , EFL operated like the police and the DVLA do .......... Job done !!!
That's the point isn't it. The 'small' clubs like Rotherham, Bury, Bolton seem to get hammered..... but the Wednesday Birmingham and Derby's seem to dodge bullets
So maybe they (EFL) should intoduce another rule, with deduction of points for late submission of annual accounts.
