Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger believes that UEFA has "caved in over the robustness of its financial fair play regulations because of pressure from Europe's top clubs," which have been "uneasy" about the Premier League's new £5.14B ($8B) TV deal, according to David Hytner of the London GUARDIAN. Wenger was reacting to the comments of UEFA President Michel Platini, who said that the governing body would "relax things" with regard to FFP. Wenger: "It looks like there's an international pressure to make these rules more
flexible because of potential investors in other countries. I believe the television contract in England has pushed some
other clubs in Europe to want this to be a bit more flexible for them so
they can compete better with investors investing in their clubs." Wenger, a "long-term advocate of financial prudence, is
frustrated because he feels that the mooted changes are coming before
the current regulations have had time to fully take hold." He said, "FFP
never worked completely. It restricted. It had a
positive influence on some aspects of our job but it was never
completely in place yet. The only thing you can say is before it is
completely in place, it is already more flexible" (GUARDIAN, 5/19). In London, Oliver Kay reported English clubs will "seek reassurance" after Platini announced plans to ease FFP. UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino confirmed that potential
amendments "will be discussed at next month's executive committee meeting in
Prague." Infantino: "Any potential changes will look to encourage more growth, more competition
and market stimulation while strengthening the emphasis on controlling
spending and safeguarding financial stability." Man City, under Sheikh Mansour's ownership, is "likely to welcome any provision
for greater investment," as would Chelsea and Paris St. Germain. A relaxation on spending limits "might also be welcomed by an emerging breed of wealthy foreign owners in Italian football," where it has been a "growing struggle to compete with the
more marketable English and Spanish clubs" (LONDON TIMES, 5/19).
