The Premier League are looking at updating the PSR (Profitability, Sustainability Rules), which have been in effect for about 10 years now, and you would think at least the financial limitations should change to keep up with the inflation of transfer prices in football.
There was a Premier League meeting held within the last week or so when representatives of the 20 Premier League clubs met with PL CEO Richard Masters.
The current rules are that over three years Premier League clubs are allowed to lose only £105M, and of course this season Everton were docked 10 points for not keeping to that particular rule.
Everton are 3rd bottom of the league now with 19 points from their 24 games, following the deduction: without the deduction they would be in 13th place.
Richard Masters told the Premier League club’s representatives the PL would like to move to UEFA’s new squad cost model (SCM), which limits spending on wages, transfers, and agents’ fees to around 70% of a club’s revenues.
Kieran Maguire is an expert on football finances and he wrote the book The Price of Football, and he had this to say to the BBC:
“Any fan of a club who is aspirational, ambitious, and has had new owners come in over the last decade – we’re talking Everton, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and so on.”
“They will say, ‘We’re getting a bit of a raw deal here because the rules didn’t apply to Chelsea and Manchester City.” “When they were introduced in 2013, it was based on 2013 prices.”
“We talk about the Premier League making decisions, but the decisions are made by the executives so there are 20 shareholders of the Premier League who are the 20 clubs.”
“They have had the opportunity over the last decade to change the numbers and, for whatever reason, they have chosen not to do so.”
“Everybody operates in their own self-interest and it could be for some of the smaller clubs – let’s say Crystal Palace – that you don’t want that limit to increase because you can’t afford to spend more money so therefore you would vote to keep it at £105M.”
“The big clubs who have already got a sporting advantage, because they have got so much money coming in, they don’t want that £105M because they don’t want Everton or Newcastle or Aston Villa to become a threat to take away the most precious thing in the Premier League.”
“That’s a qualification for the Champions League because the Champions League is worth so much more money.”
“Everybody is acting in their own self-interest so there are probably three or four clubs for whom index thinking would have worked really well and, from a level playing field point of view, would have been the appropriate treatment.”
“But the other clubs are acting in their own self-interest and we have not had this progressed.”
Any increase in what Premier League clubs can spend would be good for Newcastle, because we are not short of money from the PIF.
But we are limited currently by the current PSR rules which is why we decided not to spend big money last month in the January transfer market.
Hopefully we can have a good summer trnsfer window.
The big money in European football is made through qualifying for the Champions League and it looks like Newcastle will not be able to qualify for that this season.
Premier League Table 2023-2024
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Tottenham | 38 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 66 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 38 | 18 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 63 |
| 7 | Newcastle | 38 | 18 | 14 | 6 | 23 | 60 |
| 8 | Man United | 38 | 18 | 14 | 6 | -1 | 60 |
| 9 | West Ham | 38 | 14 | 13 | 10 | -14 | 52 |
We are currently 11 points behind 4th placed Spurs in the league table.
What do you think?
187 comments so far
DrGloom
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:09 PM
Comment #81Signings have been astute , hard to make a call on Tonali and Barnes has shown that he deserves to be here .. the gambling and injury to Barnes were hard to call ahead of time … probably the only bad buys we’ve made were Ashley and potentially Hall who EH doesn’t seem to think is ready to play ( despite our injury situation), injuries have been our major downfall this season – I’d suggest we’d be in Villa’s position and possibly spurs with a few less injuries or a stronger squad… its less than 2 full seasons and we have ffp … Rome wasn’t built in a day and we started from a right ruin of a club – people need to get a grip
DrGloom
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:09 PM
Comment #82On my opinion …
DrGloom
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:10 PM
Comment #83Back to lurking 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:25 PM
Comment #84Dr Gloom,
What gets me is that our recruitment has been lauded by every journo, pundit, content creator and fan for how astute it’s been, every single signing since the TO has been spot on. Yet because we’ve had a blip there’s more could have been done about Tonali, should have got a striker instead of Barnes (who could have just as easily got a toe injury) and as for wasting money on Hall, the only reason we got him is because we didn’t have to pay out of this financial year so we couldn’t have spent the ‘Hall money’ anywhere else anyway. As for Barnes you only have to look at the impact he’s had so far I’m tye few games we’ve seen him.
DrGloom
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:28 PM
Comment #85Raj, agreed – hall may well be one for the future but given our financial constraints and the fact that once we have willock, tonali, targett back next season he’s a luxury we can’t really afford just yet – loan was a good way to have a look at him and clearly eh doesn’t see enough just yet – its a shame for the lad but sometimes things just don’t work out the way you want
lochinvar
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:34 PM
Comment #86West Ham ain’t a happy place now.
Getting Paqueta in to buddy his pal Bruno would be good for the team but also good for Bruno’s mindset
magpie22
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:40 PM
Comment #87Onmeedsun,
The only way to get fairness in football is for clubs to pay their debts off. Thats what I call fair play.
All this debt management stuff is designed to keep clubs afloat year after year that shouldnt be. Eg:- Man U, Tottenham, Liverpool, etc
lochinvar
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:42 PM
Comment #88“If you take a club such as Manchester City – they generated revenue of £700million.
“As per the 70 percent cap, they would therefore be free to spend £490million.
Here’s the reality of the new FFP proposals that protect the slimey six. In any other business world it’s illegal practice.
“Newcastle’s revenue last season was £250million and even if they grew that to £300million this season then that still leaves them with a budget of £210million.
“So Newcastle are effectively saddled with a wage bill which is £280million less than that of City.
Davas
Feb 13, 2024 at 8:46 PM
Comment #89Been looking at the permutations for European qualifications next season. It seems that 7th and/or 8th teams only qualify for the Europa/Conference leagues if the cup winners finish in the top 6, even if the 5th team get the extra ECL place.
“Champions League: 1-5
Europa League: 6, FA Cup winners
Europa Conference League: Carabao Cup winners
If the cup winners finish in the top 6, the places could drop to 7th and 8th in the table.”
So, I guess it would be better for our chances if Liverpool win the Carabao Cup.
(I’ll go and wash my mouth out now)
check the toastie
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:00 PM
Comment #90Some superb posts by Onmeedson, Davas and Javea this afty.
Well done, proper considered stuff, a super read, doing Dr Ed proud.
Can summarise it for you all tho. Top 6 owners and the Prem League are wanka’s and proper corrupt.
Think its time for a court case personally.
Bosman ruling type stuff. In no other sector are businesses dictated to in terms of making profit. Its bollocks.
JaveaToon
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:01 PM
Comment #91We’re winning the FA Cup Shirley?
JaveaToon
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Comment #92Check…Well summarised 🙂
Davas
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Comment #93Javea
Yeah, sorry, I forgot that. That post is totally irrelevant to us now. 😀
check the toastie
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Comment #94Can also summarise the Forest penalty thing at weekend.
Those who thought it was a penalty are mackems or Sheara.
Those who didnt are genuine toon followers.
Davas
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Comment #95Check
I agree with Javea at #92
check the toastie
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Comment #96Dont want euro conference, its bollocks.
Even unsure about europa. Would sooner we had a proper crack at the league and domestic cups and keep squad and management team fresh.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:11 PM
Comment #97I just think we spent over a hundred million on Tonali, Barnes and Hall to equip us for the rigors of CL, EPL and domestic cups, without getting any return on that immense investment, and not enough return from Isak and Wilson too, relative to their ability. That’s an awful lot not getting onto the pitch, added to what might otherwise be considered a more reasonable injury list. Im not sure how much blame you can place at Eddie Howes door for this, is all.
check the toastie
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Comment #98Eddie needs another year without petty distractions such as thursday night footy. Which means virtually no saturday matches.
Its just an annoyance thursday night euro footy. Needs to be champo league or nowt for me.
check the toastie
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:15 PM
Comment #99Dont think weve paid a penny for Hall. That is still on the back burner i imagine.
Tonali – will be mint. (Can just tell lad has top class ability and drive)
Tino – see Tonali
Barnes – proven prem player. (Unlucky injury)
Hall – back to Chelsea. (Shame)
Minteh – dont forget about Minteh. Will be here next year and cud be mint eh
Fat Basta*d
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:19 PM
Comment #100I dont rate Tonali at all
Fat Basta*d
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:19 PM
Comment #101Locatelli and Barella are better than Tonali
Fat Basta*d
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Comment #102Frattesi is better than Tonali
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:24 PM
Comment #103Also just because Shearer says something doesn’t mean he’s right
Remember he sat for 2 years saying nothing while his pal Bruce ruined the club
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Comment #104I have plenty of faith in Tonali, Barnes and Hall, but they just weren’t there for us when we needed them this term. We start getting our return on Barnes from now, and the other two. I expect great seasons from Tonali and Barnes next term, and more from Hall. And if we get another striker, then more from Isak and Wilson too. It’s hard not too feel confident about next term.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Comment #105…….the other two next season.
Fat Basta*d
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:36 PM
Comment #106Tonali will probably get done for doping next season 😀
Fat Basta*d
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Comment #107We need atleast 6 top players next season
DM
CF
GK
LB
RCB
LW with a left foot
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Comment #108I think Hall is just too green at the minute, in terms of playing to instruction and holding his own within the group, basically confidence and maturity. He needs a bit more time than I think we imagined.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:39 PM
Comment #109Are we defo in the clear with Tonali?
Remember the FA were doing their own investigation
Davas
Feb 13, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Comment #110Lcbp
I forgot about that. They’ll probably drag it out till his ban is finished and then ban him again.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 13, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Comment #111It looks increasingly like Eddie doesn’t want to play with a six. When I look at that squad, so long as we don’t lose a regular, and only even add a starting left back and a centre forward to add cover, competition and be part of the rotation with Isak and Wilson, we are gonna be very very well equipped. But I think we might well end up with more.
Munster Mag
Feb 13, 2024 at 11:10 PM
Comment #112Ashworth to Man U gaining traction apparently. I’d rather lose him than either of our Brazilians.
Munster Mag
Feb 13, 2024 at 11:12 PM
Comment #113Nicky Eddie doesn’t play with a 6, never did. But it causes problems if you don’t have huge energy in midfield and a compact defence.
Ooooo........it's Nicky the ball tosser
Feb 13, 2024 at 11:38 PM
Comment #114Yeah that’s right. We don’t need a six unless Eddie plans to change our system next term. I think we are well covered in midfield, to play the way we do, at our best, which is high line, compact, and early press, and essentially saying to the opposition you can have the space in behind, if you’re good enough. Need a deep bench though to sustain it though.
Fat Basta*d
Feb 13, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Comment #115If Ashworth goes get Beppe Marotta
cyprus
Feb 14, 2024 at 4:35 AM
Comment #116The solution for the Lutons to compete fairly is transfer and salary caps.
That’s not how the free market competes, but they do that in US sports and it works.
Then again, FFP is not free market either. In the free market a crazy owner is allowed to throw any amount of money he wants at an investment.
JaveaToon
Feb 14, 2024 at 7:18 AM
Comment #117We used to have salary caps, we won’t be seeing them ever again though imo. The elite won’t stand for it, nor will the players.
Wor B
Feb 14, 2024 at 8:01 AM
Comment #118From Carson over the road:
@LukeEdwardsTele
Newcastle’s hierarchy want to seek assurances from Ashworth that he is committed to staying long term. That commitment has not yet been explicitly given, publicly or privately, and things are likely to come to a head in the next few days #nufc
JaveaToon
Feb 14, 2024 at 8:13 AM
Comment #119Well hopefully he gives it, if not then off you trot. Hopefully they have to pay big to get him.
JaveaToon
Feb 14, 2024 at 8:27 AM
Comment #120Take your pick…
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that a formal approach from the Red Devils is now imminent and the situation is expected to ‘develop rapidly’, claiming Ashworth is open to the move.
Or
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards paints a slightly different picture. While there are fears from ‘senior figures’ at St James’ Park that his head may have been turned, his piece stated – ‘A source close to Ashworth stressed on Tuesday night that he is happy at Newcastle and is currently focused on the challenges ahead.’
Edwards also wrote, ‘Ashworth is understood to have been irritated by the constant chatter around him leaving for Man Utd, but that does not mean he could not be tempted to leave given the prestige of the job at Old Trafford. It would also be closer to his family home in the West Midlands.‘