BobKowalski wrote: to regulate against the principle of outside investment or even against using football as a loss leader for several years within the context of a wider objective (ie City) is slightly baffling because like Abramovich it is pumping fresh money into the game that would have gone elsewhere.
It would only be baffling if UEFA were genuinely trying to stop clubs from overspending/going bankrupt 'in the best interests of the game'.
It ONLY makes perfect sense, if UEFA are actually trying to stop the established old guard 'elite' clubs from being overhauled by big money clubs like Chelsea & also up & coming clubs such as us & various Russian clubs also backed by oil money. It doesn't make sense from any other angle. Platini was simpering with joy when he handed the Chumps league trophy to Inter. As we know, that's what it's about.
UEFA, like FIFA, are a corrupt organisation, be it for money, personal power, personal gratification, favours for friends etc. UEFA currently have a certain little gang in charge who have their favourites. Their members all have their own 'scams' & their own little power bases though, which often need outside help from sponsors.
Read about the work City's people & those employed by the Sheikh & his family are doing, all around the world, investing, building contacts, building buildings! Look into Abu Dhabi's connections, financial involvement, with broadcasters around the world & with big football sponsors,( even with owners/backers of big clubs) & also of course governments. How many FIFA people will already be involved in projects financed wholly or partially by money from Abu Dhabi? Now the 'City brand' is starting to be officially attached to these kind of projects.
Go forward 5 years & imagine how much influence this will weild if UEFA top brass start barring the Sheikh's team from competition, all for the crime of investment! To protect us from being financially unstable? Really? To protect the game from money? Really? That's effectively what it would mean; the Abu Dhabi money is an unwanted influence in the game or even worse, they can't be trusted! Should they remove it's influence then? Or at least not offer up any more in the future?
Will the 'football family' who appoint the leaders of FIFA & UEFA miss a few suits, as opposed to upsetting the providors of billions of investment worldwide? Would broadcasters of a breakaway league want to upset the same people, major shareholders in some of their partners/sponsors by barring their team?
Fairplay works two ways. I recon UEFA will have no choice but to to play fair with us, which is all we ask. We won't just sit & take it if they don't. I don't believe they will stop the Sheikh from investing where needed anyway. I don't believe they can even if they try but I don't think they'll even try. They'll just change the way it's worded.