MX23RW : Tuesday, December 3 18:42:13| >> :120:29204:29204:

EFL considering financial rule changes amid uncertainty over clubs' futures

The EFL sets up a working group to consider changes to its financial rules amid continuing concerns over the long-term sustainability of several members of the Football League.

The EFL has set up a working group to consider changes to its financial rules amid continuing concerns over the long-term sustainability of several members of the Football League.

It emerged on Thursday that the group was set up in the summer, since when Bury have been expelled from the Football League after failing to demonstrate their financial viability, while neighbours Bolton narrowly avoided the same fate.

The EFL introduced new profit and sustainability rules in 2016-17 but major problems have continued to affect a number of clubs.

Although two EFL members, Birmingham and Oldham, saw winding up orders dismissed by a judge on Wednesday, Bury, Macclesfield and Southend all face winding up petitions in the next few weeks.

While there are issues throughout the Football League, much of the focus is on the Championship where there are concerns that clubs are over-extending themselves in a desperate bid to reach the Premier League.

The EFL's rules state that most Championship clubs cannot lose more than £39million over the course of three seasons, though exceptions are made for clubs recently relegated from the Premier League.

However, new analysis conducted by accountants Deloitte and football finance group Vysyble which showed Championship clubs continue to run heavy losses.

According to the analysis, published by the BBC, Championship clubs ran up pre-tax losses totalling a record £307million in 2017-18.

That was despite highest-ever revenues of £749million, and was caused by spending on player and staff wages exceeding revenues by 11 per cent.

The analysis found that more than half of clubs in the Championship are spending more on wages than they make in income.

Three clubs – Wolves, Fulham and Cardiff – all had losses which exceeded £39million in one season alone, but earned promotion to the Premier League that season so were no longer subject to the EFL's rules.

In a statement, the EFL said: "Club owners are fully aware of the current financial regulations in place and are cognisant of the risks that such an increase in outgoings can have on sustainability.

"Clubs, however, must be given the freedom and flexibility to strive for success within the parameters of the regulations.

"It should also be remembered that 'operating profits' are not the primary aim of most professional clubs, with owners opting to compete for success in what is an increasingly competitive marketplace."

Clubs that overspend can be sanctioned with a transfer embargo or a points deduction, as happened to Birmingham last season.

The EFL added that is has "demonstrated that appropriate action will be taken in accordance with our regulations when breaches are identified".

It added: "But it is important to acknowledge that the majority of EFL clubs are well supported by experienced owners and their boards, who are very aware of the economic challenges faced when operating a football club."

ID:382644: cacheID:382644:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4161:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Dino Maamria in charge of Stevenage on August 3, 2019
Read Next:
Oldham act swiftly to appoint Dino Maamria after sacking Laurent Banide
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Browns
32-41
Broncos
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe16122236181838
2Wrexham17104326111534
3Birmingham CityBirmingham15103228151333
4Stockport CountyStockport1786329171230
5Huddersfield TownHuddersfield1692525151029
6Barnsley177642622427
7Reading168352624227
8Bolton WanderersBolton168352526-127
9Lincoln CityLincoln177552321226
10Mansfield TownMansfield157352017324
11Exeter CityExeter167271415-123
12Charlton AthleticCharlton166461717022
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough166373229321
14Bristol Rovers176381723-621
15Wigan AthleticWigan165561513220
16Blackpool175572430-620
17Stevenage165471116-519
18Northampton TownNorthampton174671923-418
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham164571419-517
20Crawley TownCrawley174491527-1216
21Leyton Orient164391420-615
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge163491425-1113
23Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1632111629-1311
24Burton Albion1615101529-148


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!