Man United controversy: Keith Wyness suggests ‘agreement’ in place
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed the cancellation of pre-season tours justifies the controversial £40million Covid allowance at Man United.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted that figure is “not extreme” and suggested other clubs had the opportunity to make a similar case to the Premier League.
Football Insider finance expert Stefan Borson has revealed United were given an “exceptional” £40million Covid allowance for the 2021-22 campaign, while other top-flight clubs are believed to have claimed a total of £20million.
The controversial allowance has allowed the Red Devils to reduce their losses under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) – even though the entire season was played in front of supporters.
Sources have told Football Insider (7 August) that the United situation is likely to cause controversy in the boardrooms at Everton and Nottingham Forest after their PSR points deductions last season.
Meanwhile, it is also believed clubs like Aston Villa and Newcastle United – who have sold players to remain within the PSR limit – could also show their displeasure.
‘Exceptional’ Man United allowance is justified, says Wyness
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I looked at the Covid losses in a bit more detail.
“You’ve got to consider the scale of Man United and something like their pre-season tours.
“These tours are much bigger than any other club because of their fan base, so from that side – the Covid allowance doesn’t seem that extreme.
“I can get my head around the £40m Covid allowance for the 2021-22 campaign.
“Why other clubs haven’t claimed a similar amount, they will only know. There’s an agreed protocol for clubs to make these claims.
“I don’t have as big a problem with this as some Premier League teams seem to.”
In other news, United’s three-man midfield signing plan revealed.
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