What are UEFA’s proposed Financial Fair Play changes? How new rules could affect Premier League sides

Premier League clubs may have to adhere to a new set of Financial Fair Play rules under new UEFA plans.

The current FFP rules have been widely criticised by clubs across Europe for being restrictive in nature.

Though, UEFA have stood by the current rules, which have been in place until 2011, with the belief that they protect clubs and the integrity of competition in a climate of off-the-scale spending.

But the system is now set for a reshuffle, and here we run you through the proposed changes.

The approval process

At this stage, UEFA have proposed the changes, but they are yet to be ratified.

Before the changes can be implemented, the UEFA executive board needs to approve them.

What are the new rules?

Some of Europe’s larger clubs have been pushing for spending limits to be drastically increased, but UEFA are not budging.

They will, however, make the system easier to follow.

Under the new proposals. the bottom line will be that clubs can only spend up to and including 70% of their income on football-related activities.

The calculations will remain based on the previous three years, despite criticism of that timescale, which has been used in the existing guidelines.

Under current rules, clubs can only post a loss of €5million (£3.1m) over three years, although that only includes certain costs, excluding money spent on infrastructure. It does include transfers and contracts for all sporting staff.

When are rules changing?

Under the new proposals, the changes would be brought in beginning the following season from the point of approval, but with a three-year grace period.

The New York Times suggest that teams will initially be allowed to spend up to 90% of income on football-related activities, and during the three-year adaption period, that will be reduced to 70%.

The three-year clock will then begin, and clubs will have to reserve 30% of their income.

What could the punishments be?

Under the new proposals, UEFA are suggesting that punishments go beyond fines, which are the most popular punishment, along with transfer bans.

UEFA are proposing that clubs in breach of the rules are relegated from the Champions League to the Europa League, Europa League to the Conference League or from the Conference League to no European football at all.

With the Champions League set to change in 2024 to include a larger league table rather than individual groups, points deductions are also likely to be discussed, it has been claimed.

Fines will also remain in place, but generally, clubs will have to fear more severe punishments for not abiding by the current rules.

Though, there is an allowance stated as $10m (£7.5m) by the report, so clubs who breach the regulations by more than that amount will be liable to punishment.