The UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations: In a legal and Economic Context

Abstract

This thesis will emphasize on the legal and economical aspects of the Financial Fair Play regulations. The economical development within the European football clubs has concerned UEFA. UEFA published a rapport, which illustrates the importance of regulations, that aims to help the European clubs escape their financial problems. The negative economical development, is threatening the stability and integrity of European football. In order to accommodate the given threat, UEFA has decided to establish the regulations called “UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations”. The UEFA executive committee, approved the FFP regulations back in 2010. The newest edition of the FFP regulations was published in 2015. The FFP regulations has created a great debate, regarding the possible effects the regulations might have on the European football clubs. For the first time, the regulations concern all the football clubs across Europe. The FFP regulations have been criticized, for the possible effects the regulations might have on the competitive balance. Furthermore, the regulations have been criticized for the impact on the competitive balance; that a new structure will be formed, internally between the football clubs, and between the national leagues as well. Therefore, the big debate concerns, whether or nor the FFP regulations can be justified. In accordance to the above mentioned, and in regards to a legal aspect, this thesis will investigate if the regulations are compatible with the European Union competition law. Furthermore, from an economical point of view, this thesis will investigate which effects and impacts the FFP regulations, might have on the competitive balance in European club football.