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New financial fair play loophole

Kieran Maguire of the Price of Football writes, 'Some people have asked me why it’s only in last couple of years EFL clubs such as Derby, Villa (and if they ever publish their accounts possibly Sheffield Wednesday too) have been selling their stadiums and booking profits to comply with FFP. Under old rules this was specifically excluded from FFP.'

'However a look at the new Profitability and Sustainability rules shows that this clause appears to have been removed so clubs can sell land, their stadium etc to a "friendly" party (i.e. another entity controlled by the club owner) for a big sum and book a profit which reduces FFP/P&S losses.'

'Whilst I have some sympathy for Steve Gibson at Boro for being unhappy with the behaviour of Derby, Villa etc. the rules were approved by EFL club owners. So what has been done by these clubs gets a tick for compliance but a question mark for ethics.'

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