FFP - 21 Man Squad Restriction & Homegrown Quota

[Matty]

I've just spoken to the head of media at UEFA. Although not specifically stated in the rulings, the 4+4 rule will apply to both Paris and City even though the squad size is reduced to 21. I asked her to send me an email confirming, which she said she will do. I won't be holding my breath but lets see.

Well, that seems pretty conclusive. That's a definite restriction on us then, there will be some high profile, highly paid individuals watching the Champion's League from the stand this season then. I simple can't see how this wouldn't affect our summer transfer prospects.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just spoken to the head of media at UEFA. Although not specifically stated in the rulings, the 4+4 rule will apply to both Paris and City even though the squad size is reduced to 21. I asked her to send me an email confirming, which she said she will do. I won't be holding my breath but lets see.

Well, that seems pretty conclusive. That's a definite restriction on us then, there will be some high profile, highly paid individuals watching the Champion's League from the stand this season then. I simple can't see how this wouldn't affect our summer transfer prospects.

Absolutely ... although I want an email from her confirming what she's told me on the phone.

I'm surprised people are surprised by this, as I always expected the squad size reduction to mean exactly what she's saying it means.

 

[aguero93:20]

Garcia makes way for Fernando, either Rekik used as cover at cb or MDM out of CL squad and one striker (negredo?) left out.

 

[Matty]

I've just spoken to the head of media at UEFA. Although not specifically stated in the rulings, the 4+4 rule will apply to both Paris and City even though the squad size is reduced to 21. I asked her to send me an email confirming, which she said she will do. I won't be holding my breath but lets see.

Well, that seems pretty conclusive. That's a definite restriction on us then, there will be some high profile, highly paid individuals watching the Champion's League from the stand this season then. I simple can't see how this wouldn't affect our summer transfer prospects.

Absolutely ... although I want an email from her confirming what she's told me on the phone.

I'm surprised people are surprised by this, as I always expected the squad size reduction to mean exactly what she's saying it means.

I think the surprise comes from people looking at how restrictive this one actually is (VERY in my mind) and thinking there's no way City would have agreed to something with such an impact on us. The fact City's official statement talked about us "only registering 23 last season, and only using 21, so material effect" as well would have mislead a few. I reckon, if we were to look at how many foreign players we used last season it would exceed the 13 we can now register.

 

[Eds]

Doesn't squad restrictions break EU employment law

 

[Chippy_boy]

I am less worried about who we could bring in, than who of our existing players may decide they want to leave.

Some of them have won the league twice now and yes winning it more times is good, but they might feel they have achieved their aims here. And a 13 free player squad limit MUST mean we have say to some of our key players "sorry mate, no CL for you this year". Will that mean they decide to move? It might.

I don't want to sound like a drama queen but these sanctions are genuinely a significant setback. There are some here (notably in the moderator community, I might add) that seem to be very defensive about this and dismissive of anyone who takes this view. Whether this is because some have repeatedly said we would pass FFP without issue - or at least with nothing more than a slap on the wrist - and they feel embarrassed, I don't know. But you can't dress this up as anything other than a big problem.

 

[M18CTID]

Would be piss funny if we won the CL next year with these squad restrictions in place.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Jokes aside Emile Heskey was on Talksport this morning and apparently he's a free agent this summer

Could be an ideal signing to go in the homegrown quota for the CL

 

[Jacks77]

13+8 version was always more logical in terms of a punishment...

I think around 3-4 players will be told they wont in our CL games. This based on we sell Pantilimon and get in a home grown second gk and based on the transfer news like Sagna, Fernando and another foreign top CB.

 

[supercity88]

This does get rather complicated now in terms of player contracts. If you are on a performance based contract with bonuses linked to success, performances etc then why would you accept, and be happy, with not being part of the CL squad. That is the competition most of our players will now want to win. They've won the rest and that is the pinnacle for them. As has been mentioned, you are looking at some seriously high profile players missing out, if this happens. Although it is only for a couple of seasons. I wonder if the club are looking at the Champions League as an opportunity to test some academy players at the top level, and are not as concerned about winning it as we think they are. Perhaps they are happy to use it as a tool to test some youngsters, whilst other players are used in domestic competitions... A silver lining to the cloud... I just can't see that being true though. The money and attraction of the CL is key to our global appeal - we must be making a fortune if we are happy to reduce our squad, and therefore our chances of winning it.