CFU Statement following the release of the Independant Football Regulator’s “State Of The Game Report”
Many of the findings of the Independent Football Regulator’s (IFR) report will come as no surprise to football fans, who are acutely aware of the imbalance between the Premier League and the EFL. We have known for some time that the grass roots and the future of the game are threatened by the financial greed of some of the top clubs, and the danger of an over dependence on wealthy owners who, if they walked away from their club, would ensure the demise of that club and the shattered dreams of thousands of fans. Speak to any Bury, Darlington, Reading or Sheffield Wednesday fan about what that threat feels like and they will tell you. Indeed, some fans can only dream of a return to the league, and Cambridge United fans will remember with dread the thought that our beloved club faced extinction in 2005.
The report shows that the majority of clubs face financial disaster:
- 94% of clubs make a loss.
- 60% of EFL and National League sides are technically insolvent.
- 17 clubs would still make a loss even if their players played for nothing!
These figures are stark but inarguable. Many clubs have no contingency plan if their owner walks away. We know that many clubs have gambled on success and over committed funds they don’t have, or relied too much on selling players. Cambridge United have worked very hard to become sustainable but it is becoming increasingly difficult when some clubs earn more and more, and others find it harder and harder to compete.
We know that Manchester City have been found guilty of 115 charges of financial irregularity but there are fears of political interference and a surrender to vested interests. We know that the Premier League are reluctant to agree to a fairer distribution of wealth, which would ensure the future of the game and create fairer competition. Like the Manchester City case, these negotiations have rumbled on for years and we know why.
The IFR wants to ensure proper fan representation, responsible ownership guaranteed and a fairer distribution of the huge wealth generated by our national sport. The game belongs to the fans. CFU are completely in support of these aims. The survival of football in this country depends on it.
Link to the IFR State of the Game report
From there you can download the 245 page full report.