Finance guru: Arsenal ‘prestige’ wounded after new FA snub
The FA’s decision not to include the Emirates as a host venue for the 2028 European Championship will not hit Arsenal financially – but their “prestige” will be damaged by the snub.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the omission.
The United Kingdom is expected to see off competition from Turkey to host the 2028 Euros.
The Times reported last Tuesday (20 September) that as few as six English stadiums could be part of the bid.
Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will stage matches from the nation’s capital, while the London Stadium is also still in the running.
Villa Park, Stadium MK, Old Trafford, the Etihad, Stadium of Light, St.James’ Park and Everton’s under-construction Bramley Moore Dock stadium are too in contention.
That means there is no place for the Gunners’ 60,000-seater stadium on the shortlist, as is also the case with Anfield and Stamford Bridge.
But the damage for Arsenal will be more to their pride than their balance sheet, claims Plumley.
“There will be a fee but Uefa take the ticket money, so there’s no real direct benefit from that,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“It is more about secondary spending around the ground. Most agreements allow clubs to keep their own catering income. The merchandise and things like that would be where the main benefits are.
“There may also be some commercial benefits that link to access to Uefa partners and things like that.
“I don’t think it’s a massive thing to miss out on financially. It’s more about the prestige of being involved in the tournament and being considered one of the best grounds in the country.
“I think it’s more to do with that side of things as opposed to the financials.”
In other news, Kevin Campbell issues “big” Arsenal verdict after Arsene Wenger reveal via Sky.