Football Clubs and the Government?

[Fittster]

"The Football Association has been given an "absolute deadline" to bring in rules tackling debt levels at clubs or face government action.

MPs have already demanded sweeping changes to the way football is run.

And now a deadline of 29 February has been imposed for the FA to overhaul its board and bring in a new licensing system for clubs.

"[Football's] governance has failed to keep up with the modern game," said Sports Minister Hugh Robertson."

Why should the government dictate what level of debt private organisations have?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15275218....

[Muncher]

Because clubs are putting themselves in danger of going bust and out of existance entirely which is part of the national identity.

It's also arguable that the amount of money floating around damages the chances of developing good English players to develop the national team.

Not to mention the football creditor rule, clubs must pay off all debts to other clubs first which usually means the taxman and suppliers to these clubs get screwed over when they go to the wall.

[johnxjsc1985]

Pity they didnt have a similar plan for the Banks.

[BoRED S2upid]

Is there a tax element to this? massive amounts of income going on servicing massive debts means less tax going to the government?

[Derek Smith]

johnxjsc1985 said:

Pity they didnt have a similar plan for the Banks.

Indeed.

Muncher said:

It's also arguable that the amount of money floating around damages the chances of developing good English players to develop the national team.

Not much of an argument. If the government puts money into the sport - and it shouldn't - then it can make it conditional. If those conditions are not met then it can moan. But football is a business. The government should keep their noses out of businesses.

If the clubs conform to all the legal tax requirements then what's their beef?

[louiebaby]

I object more to the fact that the Premiership has an exemption from the numbers of non-EU immigrants allowed to relocate to the UK.

Just the Premiership clubs.

Anyone who lends money to a football club should be aware of the risks of default. That's the whole point of pricing debt.

[johnxjsc1985]

A lot of Premier teams wealth is tied up in the players. I dont like Gov interference ,they put very little into Football an dall Gov have been responsible for selling of School playing fields.What Government run industry or sector is well run??????.

[thinfourth2]

Well they both have something in common

They could both disappear tomorrow and i'd be fking delighted