UEFA reforms: the DFL is alarmed

UEFA is planning far-reaching reforms to finance the clubs. The German Football League is alarmed.

The alarm bells are ringing at the headquarters of the German Football League (DFL). The planned reforms of the European Football Union (UEFA) to finance the clubs and their control are likely to have far-reaching consequences for the German clubs – and these could be extremely unpleasant.

“The new ideas provide for unlimited total costs as long as they are covered by investor money. We strictly reject that,” said Marc Lenz in kicker quoted. Lenz worked for UEFA for more than five years, and since 2019 he has been responsible for corporate strategy and international affairs at DFL – and there is a lot of work to do.

Financial Fair Play (FFP) is to be abolished and replaced by a new financial control system. Among other things, a luxury tax is being discussed for clubs that violate the fact that they are only allowed to spend a maximum of 70 percent of their income on player salaries. UEFA is at least thinking about this new upper limit.

According to kicker clubs should also be able to reduce their debts over a period of five to seven years at particularly low interest rates.

Much more worrying is the idea of deregulating investor money. In a position paper, the DFL rejects “Proposals for the deregulation / liberalization of investor funds”.

Like UEFA on Tuesday SID-If you informed me of the request, it will be available on 9/10. A convention entitled “On the future of European football” will be held in Nyon on September 1st. The FFP is also discussed there. The first decisions could then be made on December 15 at the Exko meeting in Montreux.

Manchester United fans storm Old Trafford ahead of Liverpool game

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Manchester United fans stormed Old Trafford ahead of the league game against Liverpool on Sunday and thus obtained a game cancellation. The protests were directed against the owners of the club, the Glazer family. SPOX shows the pictures.

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The start of the game against the Reds, which was scheduled for 5.30 p.m., was initially postponed due to the protests. The crew buses had been sent back to the hotels.

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Manchester United stated that fans have “the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest”. However, the club regrets “the disruption of the team and the actions that put other fans, staff and the police in danger”.

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Around 1 p.m. UK time, the fans met in front of the stadium and made their displeasure against the Glazers public.

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Manchester United took part in the Super League a few weeks ago, which ultimately crashed. The fans of the club therefore called for the 50 + 1 rule to be introduced as in Germany.

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It was peacefully denounced that the Glazers shovel millions but ignore the fans.

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The Glazers bought Manchester United in 2005. Since then, they have paid out around 1.5 billion euros in dividends.

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Above all, the fans don’t like the high prices.

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As a demonstrative sign of their protest, the fans wore scarves and jerseys in green and yellow – the historic club colors of the traditional club.

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After the peaceful beginnings, a heated dynamic developed.

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Half an hour later, over 1000 supporters had gathered in front of the stadium.

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Of course, pyrotechnics could not be missing.

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The supporters slowly made their way towards the stadium entrance.

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At around 2 p.m. UK time, the stadium was stormed. The stewards let the pack pass so as not to create even greater riot.

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The Glazer family was loudly called for.

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Even the corner flags were taken out of protest.

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With the help of the police and the lawn sprinklers, the fans were driven off the lawn.

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But the protest continued inside the stadium.

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The Glazers were particularly criticized for their investment in US sports. They also own the NFL club Tempa Bay Buccaneers.

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After the supporters were escorted out of the stadium, they fought with the police.

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After initial provocations …

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… then it got palpable.

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All items were thrown towards the police.

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The police tried to get the situation under control. Initially with only moderate success.

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With a large contingent, however, the mass could be pushed back a little.

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The fans subsequently withdrew voluntarily, and the mood calmed down a bit.

DFL: “Provides investors with no return expectation”

Efforts towards deregulation were apparently already made last year. “We never communicated that openly, but in 2020 we played a leading role in ensuring that the FFP still exists in the current status quo,” said Lenz. There were “clear intentions” to “suspend the regulations – with what we consider to be an opportunistic justification for the pandemic and liquidity problems”.

A key question is: what expectations do investors have? “Investors with return expectations – often in England – prefer cost regulation because their pockets are not infinite. They want to be competitive, but within a reasonable framework,” said Lenz and added: “There are also investors without return expectations. It is their interest to relax or abolish currently limiting regulations. ” This would further weaken the international competitiveness of the Bundesliga.

According to the current regulations, with an investor sum of 100 million euros, only 25 million euros can be used for players and transfer costs within three years. “The remaining 75 million euros will be used for youth development, infrastructure or other projects worthy of funding,” Lenz emphasized.

Before the draw for the European competitions on Thursday and Friday in Istanbul, other questions about the future remain open. The mode of the reformed premier class from 2024 has still not been conclusively clarified.

Allegedly, UEFA is considering removing the two proposed spots for unqualified clubs due to previous successes. This regulation had met with massive resistance from fans and many clubs anyway.

It is speculated that the change of heart caused by the failed Super League project. UEFA felt betrayed and could now withdraw this preference from the top clubs.