Martin Samuel: The plot to shackle City & Chelsea

[St Helens Blue (Exiled)]

Sorry not been on for a while. What the hell are they going to take us to court for?

Surely when we meet the target hopefully next season or 2 then what are these clubs issues.

Re the financial fair play in the premiership I have been informed that Fulham
,Everton, West Brom, Chelsea and ourselves are 100% against at the moment. So that is 5 out of the 13 or 14 needed. Sorry but this one is going to fall right on it's face

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

I find the pontificating of John W Henry to be especially nauseating.

He comes in and buys a declining football club, with a decrepit old stadium, on the cheap and feels he has the right to lecture the rest of the Premier League on how to run their businesses.

Doubtless he thought that running an English football club, especially one steeped in 'istree, was going to be easy. I imagine he thought that we were hill-billies next to him and his knowledge of how to run a 'sports franchise'. The reality, for him, is turning out to be very different. He's mixing with the big boys now and in his heart of hearts I reckon he feels a little bit out of his depth.

 

[M18CTID]

I think it needs to be noted that this is a blog from an Arsenal fan with absolutely no quotes whatsoever backing up his assumption that the so-called "Gang of 4" will take this to court. It looks like a fucking piss-poor attempt at a wind-up and nothing more.

It's also worth noting that, and I know I'm stating the obvious here but it needs pointing out to any bitter and ignorant opposition fans, FFP probably won't unduly affect us anyway. We're clearly working towards complying with UEFA's FFP regs so if a similar set of rules are brought into the Premier League it won't make any difference as we'll already be falling in line with UEFA's regs. Of course, that still doesn't make it right as it pretty much closes the door on any club outside of City, United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea realistically challenging the top 6 places. The only possible exception is West Ham if and when they move to the Olympic stadium - increased revenue as a result of increased capacity coupled with London-centric pricing for match tickets and corporate hospitality might see them come close to matching the revenues of Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

 

[Asa's left peg]

I find the pontificating of John W Henry to be especially nauseating.

He comes in and buys a declining football club, with a decrepit old stadium, on the cheap and feels he has the right to lecture the rest of the Premier League on how to run their businesses.

Doubtless he thought that running an English football club, especially one steeped in 'istree, was going to be easy. I imagine he thought that we were hill-billies next to him and his knowledge of how to run a 'sports franchise'. The reality, for him, is turning out to be very different. He's mixing with the big boys now and in his heart of hearts I reckon he feels a little bit out of his depth.

If there is anything credible in that article it's probably the bit that says he expected things to be more ordered in the American Football franchise way - buy a team for serious money - enjoy the controlled distibution of assets and wealth - couple of years in the spotlight - then sell for a bit more than you paid. That isn't the rollercoaster of English football, where you have to be prepared to loose or at least risk. There is off field drama too and they don't like it.

 

[NipHolmes]

I find the pontificating of John W Henry to be especially nauseating.

He comes in and buys a declining football club, with a decrepit old stadium, on the cheap and feels he has the right to lecture the rest of the Premier League on how to run their businesses.

Doubtless he thought that running an English football club, especially one steeped in 'istree, was going to be easy. I imagine he thought that we were hill-billies next to him and his knowledge of how to run a 'sports franchise'. The reality, for him, is turning out to be very different. He's mixing with the big boys now and in his heart of hearts I reckon he feels a little bit out of his depth.

A guy who sold Torres for 50m club paid 35m for Carrol and 25m for Suarez, 20m for Downing, 15m for Henderson and yet he wants to moan about prices in football.

He's a joke. As you say, what gives him the right to moan he's been here 5 mins. City spending on community, he's at Liverpool to earn.

 

[TBooksbluearmy]

Surely this is a restraint of trade, and as such is not allowed in this country. So therefore they will be braking laws in this country and can be taken to court. There has been many firms taken to court for bring in restraint of trade, and have been heavily find for doing so.

The covering bodies in football should really be looking at owners to see if they can afford to pay of the debts if it is needed. The owners of City and Chelsea can pay of there debts without any problems can't be sure of those that have signed this letter. if the governing bodies are really interested in bringing in a level playing field they would introduce a player wages cap which would cover all premiership clubs, as well as those in the lower leagues, on a decreasing scale.

 

[Ancient Citizen]

I find the pontificating of John W Henry to be especially nauseating.

He comes in and buys a declining football club, with a decrepit old stadium, on the cheap and feels he has the right to lecture the rest of the Premier League on how to run their businesses.

Doubtless he thought that running an English football club, especially one steeped in 'istree, was going to be easy. I imagine he thought that we were hill-billies next to him and his knowledge of how to run a 'sports franchise'. The reality, for him, is turning out to be very different. He's mixing with the big boys now and in his heart of hearts I reckon he feels a little bit out of his depth.

I couldn't agree more with this. Especially nauseating is his use of sister organisations bunging cash via the back door to the dippers, which is OK for them but Etihad shouldn't do it.
Like all the Yanks who own clubs, he is swiftly realising that it's not exactly a steady income stream and a bask in reflected glory every few months, when the trophies roll in.
Excepting of course that lovely Malcolm and his hunky offspring at the Rags, who are doing an exceptional job.

 

[halfcenturyup]

I can only imagine the point the guy is trying to make in his blog, which is quite honestly hogwash, is that they would take UEFA to court if they don't follow their own guidelines and punish contraventions. There is no way on God's green earth that they can sue City or Chelsea for failing to be penalised by UEFA's guidelines, and they sure as hell won't sue UEFA if they want to be part of the future gravy train.

Maybe they can set up a rival CL with the four of them so they can at least get to the semifinals every year ....

Sorry not been on for a while. What the hell are they going to take us to court for?

Surely when we meet the target hopefully next season or 2 then what are these clubs issues.

Re the financial fair play in the premiership I have been informed that Fulham
,Everton, West Brom, Chelsea and ourselves are 100% against at the moment. So that is 5 out of the 13 or 14 needed. Sorry but this one is going to fall right on it's face

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Sorry not been on for a while. What the hell are they going to take us to court for?

Well they're going to say "They've got lots of money now and it's more than we've got and we used to have more than them and it's sooooooo unfair! If you don't stop them we'll scream and scream and scream until we're sick! Your honour."

 

[Bluep*ss]

Sorry not been on for a while. What the hell are they going to take us to court for?

Well they're going to say "They've got lots of money now and it's more than we've got and we used to have more than them and it's sooooooo unfair! If you don't stop them we'll scream and scream and scream until we're sick! Your honour."

Nice one LOL