What is even happening with the footballing world in 2021 where one club loses a lifelong icon while PSG meddles with the FFP Regulations
Football that we all knew is now extinct because clearly “Money Talks” everywhere in this world, even strangling the beautiful game like a rapt coiled serpent. Barcelona are not able to register Lionel Messi due to the breach of the Financial Fair Play (FFP).
Lionel Messi To PSG Transfer News 2021-22
Leo Messi and his father Jorge are waiting for Paris Saint-Germain official contract proposal to arrive this weekend, in order to complete the agreement. Leo’s open to accept. 🇦🇷🇫🇷 #Messi
PSG are offering €35m [add ons included] until 2023, plus option to extend until 2024. ⏳ pic.twitter.com/1PbWILFpRo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2021
Meanwhile, Paris-Saint Germain are currently leading the race to land the Argentine forward offering him a humongous 2-year deal worth €35m [add ons included]. The game has changed completely after the bad boy “Money” entered the scene.
PSG made headlines by acquiring the services of Gianluigi Donnaruma, Achraf Hakimi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos, and maybe, they could even get the signature of Lionel Messi on a contract within a week. However, only a few are aware of the interference by UEFA which seems missing.
How Are PSG Navigating The FFP With Big Money Signings In 2021
UEFA introduced Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations in 2011 in order to allow all the clubs to spend money equivalent to their income which includes (income from matchday sales, TV rights deal, advertising, player sales, and prize money) against a club’s spending (activity in the transfer market and employee benefits including player and staff wages).
This law was introduced in order to regulate the money involved in the sport and to make the clubs function more efficiently and effectively with appropriate balance in the financial department. For Example- the former Barcelona board spent Billions in the transfer market and at the same time were not generating enough revenue for the organization to function smoothly.
As a result, Barcelona finds itself in financial ruin and are on the verge of losing their best player for free after failing to comply with the FFP regulations. Financial Fair Play ensures a level playing field for all the teams and regulates the involvement of money.
PSG influencing the FFP laws In 2021
In the case of PSG, UEFA turns its head the other way around and seems to completely ignore the laws designed by them. Reports in France suggest that £28 million has been already added to the current wage bill and the signing of Lionel Messi would take that figure to £65 million. However, most of their new signings are free transfers whereas, Achraf Hakimi cost them £60 million which means more than £100 million dollars have been invested by the Qatari owners.
It is frustrating to witness the decline of such a beautiful game that is edging closer and closer towards commercialization. Still, UEFA is not ready to investigate the previous case of PSG which shook the world of football.
State Money establishing Paris-Saint Germain control over FFP
Paris-Saint Germain purchased Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the summer transfer window of 2017 for a total amount reported to be over €400 million which raised quite a few eyebrows and UEFA began their investigation behind closed doors.
Initial reports suggested that the French club was in big trouble but the money power took over and PSG were cleared of all the charges by former Belgian prime minister Yves Leterme who was the chief investigator of the case.
Jose Narcisco da Cunha Rodrigues, a former judge at Europe’s top court and chairman of UEFA committee who overlooks the FFP regulations later revealed in a report-
“Adverse to the interests of clubs competing in UEFA competitions for one club to maintain a substantial financial advantage from an erroneous application of the regulations by the chief investigator.”
How PSG Won Their Old FFP Case And Were Able To Stave Away Any Sanctions
The FFP regulations state that each club can spend money equivalent to their income and if that is not the case, it should not breach the €30 million mark over three years. Meanwhile, PSG seems to ignore all the laws and spend as much money as they like.
In their defense, PSG presented an argument showcasing their income from sponsorship deals in the shape of telecom company Ooredoo, the Qatar National Bank, and, most crucially, the Qatar Tourism Authority which is basically the state money.
As a result, the investigation was closed and Paris-Saint Germain walked away freely after manipulating the laws with money.