UEFA are again drawing up plans to bring down the Premier League
with a new 'luxury tax' being discussed.
The Sun says Europe’s governing body is plotting to hit
the continent’s top clubs with a Major League Baseball-style luxury
tax policy.
UEFA wants to reform the business side of football’s elite clubs
in its campaign for “financial fair play”.
Among those seriously affected would be Chelsea and Manchester
United who, although bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman
Abramovich and American tycoon Malcolm Glazer respectively, carry
more than £1billion of debt.
UEFA is looking at adopting ideas from the MLB, which taxes
free-spending clubs on all they splash out above a set payroll
threshold.
The money is redistributed around the league. Last season the
New York Yankees paid almost £20million to its rivals.
If UEFA introduced the system, clubs would have to pay their
bill before being allowed to play in the Champions League or the
rebranded Europa League.
Yet implementing the MLB’s system will not be simple.
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: “The devil is in adapting
these rules to a European context. It is extremely difficult.”
Whether UEFA are willing to take into account the debts created
by English clubs' new stadiums and expansion - and in the process
it's support and security of Premier League fans - is anyone's
guess.