10/10/2013 00:00
TW
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by MONITOR
ALTHOUGH the finances of football are not exactly at the top of our concerns at this moment, they may require some attention before long. Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) was at the European Parliament on Monday talking to MEPs about what he thinks is the worrying trend in foreign ownership of English Premiership clubs. Currently nine of the twenty clubs are owned by foreign investors and he believes that this makes them vulnerable to financial deals that have nothing to do with footballing success, long term development or local interests. He is probably right but it is difficult to see how the Premiership, having chosen to take the financial high road, can now be protected from itself. At the very least FIFA wants the “Fit and Proper Person” test for ownership to be strengthened.

M. Blatter also asked the MEPs to look favourably on his campaign to limit to six the number of foreign players in any side so that local and national talent can be developed and encouraged. When this proposal was first raised one year ago the lawyers pointed out that it would be illegal under EU employment regulations. Blatter still thinks that football is special and should have is own laws. He may have a point. When Wigan Athletic took the field against Middlesbrough last Saturday at its JJB Stadium its team consisted of three Egyptians, three Frenchmen, two Dutchmen, two Hondurans, and a Brazilian. (Middlesbrough won 1-0.)