EU: Commissioner defends Financial Fair Play

The Financial Fair Play rules that govern how much UEFA football clubs can spend their money have been challenged by opponents who claim the rules violate competition rules. But European Commissioners are speaking out in favor of the FFP rules’ objectives.

Reports say EU Commissioner of Culture Androulla Vassiliou spoke in Rome Tuesday to address FFP, noting that the Commission “wholeheartedly agree[s] with the central objective of FFP, namely to ‘live within your means’ or ‘break even.’”

Financial Fair Play rules limit how much football teams can spend in order to protect competition between teams. Earlier this year, the Commission denied a complaint against the rules filed by Belgium-based Daniel Striani; at the time, the watchdog noted that it had yet to receive an official complaint against FFP filed by a UEFA club.

On Tuesday, Vassiliou acknowledged the controversy surrounding FFP and agreed that the objectives of the rules could be accomplished in more ways that one.

The politician said the Commission is looking to “cooperate with UEFA in its efforts to promote a more transparent and fair football.”

Full content: Out-Law

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