Finance guru: Uefa ‘hurt’ by Man City superstar Kevin De Bruyne after ‘negative’ development
Man City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s comments about the Uefa Nations League will have “hurt the brand”, according to Doctor Dan Plumley.
The football finance expert, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the “negative PR” will have been ill-received by the competition’s sponsors.
As quoted by the Daily Mail (31 May), Kevin De Bruyne said the Nations League is “unimportant” and described the competition as “a practice campaign.”
The Man City star is currently on international duty with Belgium, who are scheduled to play four games in 11 days in the Nations League.
Plumley claimed De Bruyne’s “superstar” status means his comments will have been heard and listened to around the world.
“Sponsors in particular is what we’re looking at here,” he told Football Insider.
“You don’t want negative PR around any of your competitions. The Champions League and the Euros are Uefa’s main competitions but the Nations League is a part of it.
“When there is negative press you look towards competition organisers and sponsors. It will hurt the brand.
“De Bruyne is a high profile player and people listen to him. You have to take that on board.
“Interestingly, the Nations League has come away from Sky and is now on Premier Sports. Channel 4 have the England games but that is a downgrade, no disrespect to those broadcasters. It is a downgrade on what has come before.
“It shows that there is perhaps not as much interest in this competition as other Uefa competitions.
“It will have an impact. It is a small part of what Uefa do but it still brings in money for them. Sponsors want to be a part of it. Negative comments from superstars will not help in that regard.”
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