Part of this article was originally posted as a response to Lyndon’s article on the closure of the amortisation loophole. Forgive me if those who read previously are irked by its modified repetition, however it occurred to me after posting that we all complain, but exactly what could or should be addressed to limit the “corruption” accusation against the Premier League or at the very least the obvious bias, towards the top four darlings of the brand Premier League. It should be added that many fans of other clubs feel exactly the same way as many of us do.
With the advent of a government regulator, what would be the main areas that we as fans believe should be addressed? No one is suggesting penalising intentionally the current top clubs, but then again the current situation has been allowed to grow like a huge cancer on the game and is reminiscent of George Orwell’s Animal Farm, all are equal, but some are more equal than others..
The Premier League and its sugar daddy, Sky, have corrupted the English game to the point where it is no longer an open, fair or viable enterprise for anyone outside the Top 6 clubs.
What are the principles that need to be followed to ensure the game is played on a level playing field (was it ever such?) where skill and endeavour are not bought with a bottomless pocket and the bending or ignoring of the rules. We need to progress from the current model of the Premier League without killing clubs or the hope of fans. How can it be done?
1. The rules of any league are not there for the clubs to decide, they should be truly independent of vested interest.
2. A level playing field including salary caps and transfer limits in value and number per club must be introduced.
3. No club can spend more than a pre-set realistic transfer kitty ceiling adjusted each season. The same for each club. Wages for players cannot exceed a club basket value.
4. Financial regulations should not limit the ability to challenge and the current FFP and P&S rules are not fit for purpose and should be scrapped. A new set of regulations based around player salary caps and transfer income and expenditure over a season must be introduced. Amortisation can only be done over the lifetime of 3 years.
5. Transfer windows are abolished. As long as a club spends within its limits, a player can be bought or sold at any point.
6. No club can be sold to a state. No owner(s) can have more than one interest in the same league.
7. All club board members must be answerable to an AGM. Fans have a right to be heard and ask questions.
8. Television rights are to be shared in a more equitable fashion both within the Premier League and its so-called lower pyramid of lower leagues. At least 50% of all monies for rights on any league must be distributed evenly.
9. Whilst condemning the Premier League, one shouldn’t forget the power that Sky have over them. It’s an incestuous relationship, both would not survive without the other.
For the sake of fans alone, the bidding war for showing rights cannot be the sole domain of one company and whilst the income is required to all clubs the stranglehold of Sky needs to be broken or limited. It should be No 9 on my list.
10. Fans Input. We continue to be the lifeblood of any club, any league, yet the view of any fans are almost inconsequential to the power and control the league and television companies have. The setting of kick-off times, the fixture lists, the number of games played in any period of time.
What was seen as a lip-service to an increasingly volatile fan base, Everton introduced their Fan Advisory Board – it should be incumbent on every club to have one, with a set of guidelines for its voice and cooperation. Although FAB was a club initiative, its growth and influence has surpassed the club’s original intent. Although they would deny this, the FAB was in open revolt with the club in its vote of no confidence in the board.
One thing is certain, the Premier League in its present format cannot grow or even exist for any length of time.
I am sure there are plenty more initiatives that could or should be considered by an independent regulator, the sooner the better. What do you think should be done?
And no, I haven’t even mentioned the VAR or the referee standards yet…