GONE TOO VAR
Huge change to VAR proposed with Premier League clubs unhappy with controversial system
New system could see almost all referees' decisions allowed to stand by VAR
SOME Prem clubs feel too many "subjective" decisions are being changed by VAR - and want an even lighter touch to be introduced.
Club chiefs accept "factual" calls on offsides and determining whether offences took place inside or outside the box, just as they are happy with the goalline decision technology.
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They are also confident that limb-tracking semi-automated offside technology will speed up the process - although it is increasingly unlikely the system will be brought in for next season.
But a series of controversial calls by officials and the VAR teams in Stockley Park has begun a debate around the Prem boardroom table over where the balance on changing calls should lie.
A number of clubs are now arguing that all “subjective” on-pitch decisions should be unchallenged unless there is absolute evidence to overturn them. This one will rumble.
RICH PICKINGS
English football’s financial dominance has been underlined by the latest Uefa figures.
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Prem clubs grossed £5.5bn in income last season - almost double the £2.82bn earned by nearest challengers La Liga.
That is equal to the total income of the bottom FIFTY domestic leagues in Europe
But the Uefa numbers, published today (Thurs) in the European Club Finance and Investment Landscape Report, also show the evolving power shift between the Prem Big Six.
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Uefa’s research shows Manchester United have the most expensively acquired squad in world football, assembled at a cost of £1.21bn and closely followed by Manchester City and Chelsea.
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But Spurs, whose revenue of nearly £550m has overtaken London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, are now football’s third highest match-day earners with gate receipts of £116m last season, behind only Barcelona and PSG.
Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers
Tottenham’s £247m wage bill is ninth in the Euro list which is headed by Barca and PSG, with City third on £473m.
The north Londoners’ financial regime under Daniel Levy means they have the lowest wages to revenue ratio - just 46 per cent - of any of the 20 biggest earners.
The sensible policy puts them in the strongest position of any Prem club to deal with stricter financial rules being brought in both domestically and by Uefa.
But the Uefa numbers also demonstrate how Saudi ownership is not the automatic step into the elite for Newcastle.
Toon revenues reached £246m but gate receipts were just £38m, considerably less than both Rangers and Celtic, with a wage bill of £184m representing 75 per cent of their total income.
MINORITY OF ONE
FA bosses remain unrepentant about their decision to vote against rule changes that would have allowed Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin to stay in office until 2031.
Wembley chief executive Mark Bullingham was the only opposition on the final vote, although Ukraine abstained.
Ceferin’s decision to announce within minutes that he was not “planning” to stand for a fourth term made the FA’s vote appear an unnecessary move.
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Some associations were privately making fun of the FA’s isolation in huddles at Uefa’s Paris hotel base for the annual Congress.
But within the FA, it is strongly felt that the “principle” of backing term limits was more important than the outcome of the vote - which it is insisted was NOT about Ceferin’s leadership.
And the FA will liaise with Uefa to help develop proposals to meet Fifa boss Gianni Infantino’s demand for rules that can rid football of racism issues within his three month deadline.
GREEK TRAGEDY AVERTED
A chill across the hearts of many who fear for football’s future as Amazon Prime announced a new feature-length documentary “Giannis”.
Thankfully for those who feel we have enough of the President of Fifa, it’s actually about Greece’s Milwaukee Bucks NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. No sin bins or blue card required.
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FITTING TRIBUTE
London Marathon bosses are planning to pay tribute to last year’s winner, Kelvin Kiptum, after the Kenyan star’s tragic death in a car crash at just 24.
A plaque to remember Kiptum could be unveiled at the start line when the runners line up on April 21.
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