Fixing The Financial Divide In Football
The gulf between rich and poor clubs has never been greater. The amount of money circulating in the game has never been greater. The amount of players instantly becoming multi millionaires and buying fast cars and large mansions have never been greater. However, more sadly, the amount of clubs, especially ones with a lot of prestige and history behind them, going under have never been greater.
The main cost that has increased in the last 2 decades is players’ wages. Football players frequently occupy the top places when it comes to the richest sportsmen in the world. The facts are staggering. According to a recent article, the average footballer’s wages in the UK have increased 65% since 2000.
Such large increases in wages put smaller, less rich clubs at a serious disadvantage in terms of challenging for titles and championships. As a result, many of these clubs have been forced to take financial gambles to be able to attract good enough players to remain competitive. This has backfired for some clubs such as Leeds United who in the space of 5 years went from being in the Champions League semi final to the English third division.
Nevertheless, I still encourage FIFA and other political bodies to consider the use of the salary cap worldwide. I would rather see talent moving to different leagues rather than see clubs fall and disappear forever.