FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday called for
discussions over proposals to introduce salary and transfer fee
caps to football in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
World football’s governing body intends to finalise plans in the
coming weeks for a financial relief package following the economic
damage caused to the sport by the global health crisis.
FIFA announced in April it would release $150 million (133
million euros) to its 211 member associations “as the first step of
a relief plan”. UEFA shortly afterwards said it had allocated 236.5
million euros to its 55 member federations.
Last month, the German FA and Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge urged industry talks about a salary cap and reforming
the transfer system to keep football “credible”.
“On the financial and governance aspects, I also heard some
interesting proposals on a wide range of topics,” Infantino wrote
in an open letter to FIFA’s members.
“From salary caps to transfer fee caps or other taxation
mechanisms, to the possible obligation for governing bodies,
competition organisers and clubs to build reserves or to contribute
to a reserve fund which can be of assistance in hours of need such
as now.
“I personally advocate for clearer and stricter financial
regulations, imposing full transparency and good governance
principles, and not only limiting this to the transfer system, but
to the entire football ecosystem.
“FIFA is doing already a lot of work on this area, even if we
face some strong vested interests who fight against our plea for
better global governance in our sport.”
A recent study by accounting firm KPMG said the transfer value
of players in 10 of Europe’s top leagues could plummet by up to 10
billion euros due to the economic crash caused by a
coronavirus.
‘Balanced’ international calendar
The French league declared over in late April, said it would have
to take out a government-guaranteed loan of some 225 million euros
to tide over clubs impacted by the loss in income from
broadcasters.
Last season’s Champions League finalists Tottenham have received
a £175 million loan from the Bank of England to help them through
the crisis as the club predicted losses of £200 million over the
next year.
Infantino is hoping to push through the rescue package by the
time of the next FIFA Council meeting later this month.
“The need for top club football to resume has understandably
taken priority, but we must also consider national teams, women’s
football, lower-tier domestic leagues, youth and the grassroots
game,” Infantino said.
“We have to show unity across all aspects of football and make
sure football can resume in its globality. This is our priority and
our financial relief plan will also follow this principle.”
While domestic leagues are gradually restarting, the
international calendar has been decimated with Euro 2020 and the
Copa America both postponed until next year.
However, Infantino said a reworked international schedule could
be published shortly.
“On another very important topic, namely the international match
calendar, I am happy to report that we also made some good
progress,” he said.
“In consultation with different stakeholders, we are closer to
present a balanced solution that takes into account everyone’s
challenges and needs.”
AFP
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Saturday called for
discussions over proposals to introduce salary and transfer fee
caps to football in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
World football’s governing body intends to finalise plans in the
coming weeks for a financial relief package following the economic
damage caused to the sport by the global health crisis.
FIFA announced in April it would release $150 million (133
million euros) to its 211 member associations “as the first step of
a relief plan”. UEFA shortly afterwards said it had allocated 236.5
million euros to its 55 member federations.
Last month, the German FA and Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge urged industry talks about a salary cap and reforming
the transfer system to keep football “credible”.
“On the financial and governance aspects, I also heard some
interesting proposals on a wide range of topics,” Infantino wrote
in an open letter to FIFA’s members.
“From salary caps to transfer fee caps or other taxation
mechanisms, to the possible obligation for governing bodies,
competition organisers and clubs to build reserves or to contribute
to a reserve fund which can be of assistance in hours of need such
as now.
“I personally advocate for clearer and stricter financial
regulations, imposing full transparency and good governance
principles, and not only limiting this to the transfer system, but
to the entire football ecosystem.
“FIFA is doing already a lot of work on this area, even if we
face some strong vested interests who fight against our plea for
better global governance in our sport.”
A recent study by accounting firm KPMG said the transfer value
of players in 10 of Europe’s top leagues could plummet by up to 10
billion euros due to the economic crash caused by a
coronavirus.
‘Balanced’ international calendar
The French league declared over in late April, said it would have
to take out a government-guaranteed loan of some 225 million euros
to tide over clubs impacted by the loss in income from
broadcasters.
Last season’s Champions League finalists Tottenham have received
a £175 million loan from the Bank of England to help them through
the crisis as the club predicted losses of £200 million over the
next year.
Infantino is hoping to push through the rescue package by the
time of the next FIFA Council meeting later this month.
“The need for top club football to resume has understandably
taken priority, but we must also consider national teams, women’s
football, lower-tier domestic leagues, youth and the grassroots
game,” Infantino said.
“We have to show unity across all aspects of football and make
sure football can resume in its globality. This is our priority and
our financial relief plan will also follow this principle.”
While domestic leagues are gradually restarting, the
international calendar has been decimated with Euro 2020 and the
Copa America both postponed until next year.
However, Infantino said a reworked international schedule could
be published shortly.
“On another very important topic, namely the international match
calendar, I am happy to report that we also made some good
progress,” he said.
“In consultation with different stakeholders, we are closer to
present a balanced solution that takes into account everyone’s
challenges and needs.”
AFP