With attentions naturally focussed on an evenly balanced and therefore particularly exciting World Cup, where a number of less heralded small countries are holding their own and even defeating much larger rivals – the role of UEFA's Financial Fair Play Regulations (FFPR) in protecting the magic circle of clubs from new kids on the bloc won't get the attention it deserves. UEFA's regulations look likely to be given a qualified pass by the European Commission, who are about to reject a complaint from an agent that is already before the Belgian courts. Stephen Hornsby's article explains why this is legally highly questionable – and probably not in the sport's long term interest which is to raise the number of teams who can succeed at the highest level, as the current World Cup has shown.
Stephen Hornby's article first appeared in World Sports Law Report in June 2014. World Sports Law Report is the monthly journal for sports regulation that provides professionals working in the sporting sector with timely information and analysis of the key decisions that shape the regulation of sport.
UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations (FFPR) settlements, Striani complaint and EU Law
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