Kieran Maguire: Imminent overhaul is ‘bad news’ for West Ham amid damaging FFP reveal
Uefa’s proposed new financial fair play system will make it more difficult for West Ham to qualify for the Champions League.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the new revenue-based system.
The current FFP model allows clubs competing in Uefa competitions to lose no more than £25million over a rolling three-year assessment period.
That figure has been doubled to £50m, but clubs must now spend 70 per cent or less of their turnover on wages, new transfers and agents’ fees.
The European Club Association revealed that it had given the green light to the FFP shake-up in an update on Tuesday (29 March).
West Ham finished 6th in the Premier League last season and are eyeing European football again this term.
Maguire explained how the new spending curbs could derail the Hammers’ attempts to smash the glass ceiling.
“I think a lot will depend on West Ham’s long-term ambitions,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“If the sale to Kretinsy does take place and his ambition is to qualify for the Champions League, this is bad news for West Ham.
“The new rules are aimed at maintaining the status quo in terms of those who qualify for the Champions League.
“The allowed loss limit has been doubled but there is a little bit of smoke and mirrors here as you can earn £150m from the Champions League anyway.
“However, if they start to compete regularly for the Europa League, it will give them an advantage on those teams below them.
“So it could be beneficial in terms of establishing them as a top-10 side but also damaging to the hopes of qualifying for the top four.”
West Ham’s turnover totalled £192.7m last year, which was a new club record.
David Moyes’ 8th-place side take on Everton today (3 April).
In other news, West Ham tipped to submit £25m Youri Tielemans offer after source’s transfer reveal.