Financial Fair Play Regulations approved

31/05/2010

The UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, which have the support of all stakeholders in European football, have been approved by UEFA’s Executive Committee.

UEFA’s Executive Committee has today unanimously approved the new UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, submitted to the committee with the support of all stakeholders in European football.

After a phased implementation over three years – 2010, 2011 and 2012 – the main cornerstone of the regulations, the break-even requirement, enters into force for the financial statements of the reporting period ending 2012, to be assessed during the 2013/14 UEFA club competition season.

Commenting on this key decision for the future well-being of European football, UEFA president Michel Platini said: “We have worked on the financial fair play concept hand-in-hand with the clubs, as our intention is not to punish them but to protect them. We have an agreement with the clubs. The philosophy is that you cannot spend more money than you generate.

“This approval today is the start of an important journey for European football’s club finances as we begin to put stability and economic common sense back into football. I thank all the stakeholders who have supported this along the way.”

The chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said: “This really is a huge achievement. On behalf of the European Club Association, I would like to thank UEFA and especially Michel Platini for his initiative that goes, I believe, in the right direction.

“After only two years of existence, the European Club Association has managed, together with UEFA, to set measures that will shape the future of European club football into a more responsible business and ultimately a more sustainable one. As clubs, by fully supporting these Financial Fair Play Regulations, we have agreed to change the way we operate, and that is a substantial step forward.”

The full UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, edition 2010, will be published in June and will be available on UEFA.com. Clubs will be assessed on a risk basis, taking into account debts and salary levels, as well as the following main pillars:

• Break-even requirement – clubs must not spend more than they generate over a period of time
• No overdues payable during the season – towards other clubs, employees and/or social/tax authorities
• Provision of future financial information – to ensure clubs can meet their future obligations.

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