Football needs financial reform says local MEP
A local Euro-MP has today called for small football clubs to receive a much greater share of money from TV rights as the only way to solve the increasing domination of a small group of rich clubs in European football.
Richard Corbett MEP, who is a member of the Independant Football Review, proposes that a greater percentage of the proceeds from television rights be given to smaller clubs at the grassroots of football. Mr Corbett put his proposal to European football authorities at a meeting of top football officials in the European Parliament today.
He said:
"The problem that most football clubs face is the growing concentration of wealth and success by the biggest clubs - a trend that has been growing over the last few years and which risks destroying the game.
"Yorkshire has many professional clubs that are losing out. Next season, Sheffield United will be playing in the same division as Chelsea and co but will be unable to compete on financial terms, this in itself is detrimental to competition. Meanwhile, non-league teams could thrive if they were given enough money to carry on.
"Talent must be allowed to flourish at the grassroots of football. The more we allow the biggest clubs to poach players and dominate the transfer market with vast sums of money, the further we will push football from the local communities it thrives in.
"Football is for all, not just an elite who can afford a gate price of £50 plus to see a game of football."
Calling on the European Commission to exempt football from the European competition law, Mr Corbett said:
"We cannot treat football like any other business. It is a part of our culture and an international language that cannot be undermined by the free market. Applying economic competition rules will destroy sporting competition."
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