14 Comments
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Dave Muir's avatar

"To ensure fair competition and prevent unfair advantage through excessive spending" , unless that is, you already have an unfair advantage In which case the EPL is fully supportive. Would be funny if it wasn't so disgusting.

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Iain Hayes's avatar

The question about why "other" clubs support the cartel's rules is quite a simple one to answer. Not only do the cartel rules keep the "top" six clubs at the top, they also seal-in the existing PL clubs, ensuring, as is becoming increasingly apparent, that the three promoted teams get relegated every season because they are financially hamstrung by the rules. The ladder is well and truly being pulled up behind the existing PL teams, so nobody wants to rock the very lucrative boat that they're all sitting in together.

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Jack Dees's avatar

Good point Iain but I think Leeds are in with a shout this season. Definitely no one else like, not even with Granit Xhaka ;)

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Stephen Cross's avatar

A fascinating article where nothing surprises me. It’s as clear as day that the EPL is an unfair playing field but no one in the media seems to care one iota about raising the question. Masters seems happy to continue kicking the Manchester City can down the road, and while this happens the Cartel continue to spend and the rest just struggle on. Newcastle have hit their ceiling. Unable to buy from the top table and unable to pay the top wages. This of course means, the chosen few are able to pick off out better players and as we are currently witnessing decide on what they will pay. It’s all very disheartening.

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Neil's avatar

A great well-researched article. But there’s comfort. Despite the attempts to hamper us, as Malick and Sandro may sing, we’re STILL too sexy for Milan, man….

Gazing up at SJP from the terrace at Rosie’s. I love the break, hate football but can’t wait to get in again. Unto the breach, dear friends, once more….

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Graeme Oliver's avatar

Very interesting article Jack. It does make you wonder what on earth is going on.

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Dave Muir's avatar

Pretty sure we know what's going on, the question is are the PIF going to fight it ?

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Dave Cook's avatar

Great eye-opening article, Jack. “I’m no financial expert” - well you could have fooled me because you must have put in some hard graft to come up with those figures. It seems the more we delve into the Premier League, the more Mafia-esque it becomes. From now on I’m calling Richard Masters the Don. Until, that is, Man City win their case and the Don ends up in a large block of cement shoes.

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Jack Dees's avatar

Ha ha, thanks Dave. Retired and too much time on me hands ;)

I've started following the expert I quoted on Substack, Stefan Borson. Now he knows a thing or two.

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Dave Cook's avatar

Enjoy your retirement, Jack. I’m sure it’s thoroughly deserved. 😊👍

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Jack Dees's avatar

A bit late but this is from the Athletic today.

A quote from Richard Masters "“As you know, we constantly bend the rulebook to try and make it more efficient whilst preserving all of the things you need in a properly functioning system.”

In most businesses this would be a resignation matter.

Unbelievable.

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Tim Mallon's avatar

Putting this another way…”I am corrupt”!

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Simon Lotion's avatar

Does anyoneknow... if a club made £100 million profit every year for 10 years ie £1 billion and then made a loss over the following 3 years of £106 million would they be breaking the PSR rules?

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Jack Dees's avatar

Yes. Strange but true. It's a 3 year rolling period.

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