Thursday, May 31, 2007
English Premiership Finances
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Guardian - New riches may lift Premiership also-rans to the fore
Premiership to cash in on overseas television deals
Gulf with Championship will widen, says report
Deloitte reckon the £2.7bn TV deal could lead to the big four swelling to include Spurs, Everton, Villa and, er, Newcastle. Guardian
The Times -
Rich get richer as television raises wages even more
The average Premiership player will earn more than £1 million next season. Is it time for salaries to be capped? Let us know below - The Times ---Graph of Finances
Reuters "English soccer star pay set to top 1 bln pounds" - Reuters
Independent - Age of £200k-a-week player looms
By Nick Harris - Independent
BBC- Premiership Wages to Top 1 Billion Pounds
Guardian - New riches may lift Premiership also-rans to the fore
Premiership to cash in on overseas television deals
Gulf with Championship will widen, says report
Deloitte reckon the £2.7bn TV deal could lead to the big four swelling to include Spurs, Everton, Villa and, er, Newcastle. Guardian
The Times -
Rich get richer as television raises wages even more
The average Premiership player will earn more than £1 million next season. Is it time for salaries to be capped? Let us know below - The Times ---Graph of Finances
Reuters "English soccer star pay set to top 1 bln pounds" - Reuters
Independent - Age of £200k-a-week player looms
By Nick Harris - Independent
BBC- Premiership Wages to Top 1 Billion Pounds
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Exeter's Former Chairman Gets Prison Term
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Mail
Mail - Businessman jailed for Grecians fraud
A "broke" businessman who took over Exeter City after lying about his personal wealth was today jailed for 21 months for fraud.
John Russell, 51, claimed he had substantial funds to invest in The Grecians before he was appointed chairman in May 2002.
In reality, the club's new saviour had no cash and no assets to plough into the Devon club, who were already severely in debt, a court heard.
Russell and his deputy, Michael Lewis, desperately attempted to keep the club going despite going further into the red during their first and only season in charge.
Debts went unpaid, cheques bounced and money ringfenced for the club's academy and community projects were illegally transferred by the club, Bristol Crown Court was told.
The two men continued trading despite knowing the club was insolvent and unable to repay loans.
Russell, of Cannon Hall Close, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading and obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.
Lewis, 65, of Loughor Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, also admitted fraudulent trading, but was sentenced to 200 hours of community work after the judge accepted he played a lesser role in the scam.
In sentencing Russell, Judge David Ticehurst told him that he had betrayed the club's football fans and treated it as his own personal domain.
"You wanted to be the club's financial saviour or white knight even though you knew that was quite impossible," he said.
"The deception could be seen in your conduct at the club when you sent personal guarantees knowing you did not have the financial means to meet them."
The court heard the two men took over the club in May 2002.
Russell was to provide the much-needed financial investment and commercial know-how, while Lewis, the former chairman of Swansea, was the "football man" who would use his contacts and expertise to help the club.
But the new regime was built on a lie.
Russell, who left the same position at Scarborough after the Yorkshire club went into administration, had claimed he owned a hotel, property and businesses which would help transform the club's fortunes.
Paul Dunkels, prosecuting, said: "He was broke. He had no assets, no money and no bank account and certainly had no money to invest in Exeter City."
Russell offered his directors generous personal guarantees over existing debts and liabilities, which were in fact "worthless", the court heard.
Russell effectively dispensed with board meetings, as the other directors were sidelined.
Cheques began bouncing, loans were not being repaid and creditors were soon getting nervous, the court heard.
Russell and Lewis continued to offer assurances that everything was fine and appeared to ignore a series of warnings about the club's impending insolvency.
The court were told they moved money from accounts to buy themselves time and told banks that money would be deposited within hours, but never materialised.
During their ill-fated period in charge, pop superstar Michael Jackson was made an honorary director of the club, and visited the club's St James Park with his friend Uri Geller, who was appointed vice-chairman.
But even that proved a failure as the PR events made a loss.
Russell admitted that by September 2002 he realised the club was insolvent and was now trading illegally. Lewis, who previously worked at Spurs, Reading and Cardiff, claimed he was only aware of the club's dire financial position in March 2003.
Despite the mounting debts, both men paid themselves "expenses" and generous consultancy fees, while Mr Russell's wife Gillian was one of the few creditors to be paid back.
Both men also charged the club for their rents and even found positions for their family at the business. Lewis later told police that "half the clubs" in the football league were trading illegally after going bust.
Both men blamed the previous regime for the club's position and said it was effectively bankrupt when they took it over.
When asked by police what he had brought to the club, Russell told them: "Expertise."
The court heard the men left Exeter £4.5million in debt and on the brink of extinction.
The supporters' trust took over the club and agreed to pay back 7p in the pound to creditors, leaving dozens of businesses and individuals hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Russell had previously been convicted of two counts of obtaining money by deception at Bradford Crown Court in 1999, and was given a 15-month sentence - suspended for two years.
Derek Duffy, defending, said the former footballer had "deluded" himself he could save the club, but had never attempt to gain from his involvement at Exeter.
He said he may have been guilty of being "too ambitious" and said he had tried to sign Paul Gascoigne to the club.
Duffy said: "We accept Mr Russell acted dishonestly, the reason for that dishonesty was not to benefit himself but in the mistaken belief that if he had got to the end of the season, Exeter could have been saved.
He added: "He doesn't deserve to go to prison for living the dream."
Exeter ended the season being relegated to the Conference.
Speaking after the day-long sentencing, Lewis said: "It's taken a toll on both of us. I'm just shocked at the sentence John has received.
"I think many football clubs will be thinking 'there for the grace of God'."
Neil Le Milliere, 53, who now sits on the Exeter board, said the fans were pleased with the sentence.
"Hopefully this will send out a message to anyone thinking of doing something similar not to.
"We were very close to the brink. The supporters' trust put three directors in place, who took no money and expenses, and they brought (the club) back from the brink of extinction." Daily Mail
Mail - Businessman jailed for Grecians fraud
A "broke" businessman who took over Exeter City after lying about his personal wealth was today jailed for 21 months for fraud.
John Russell, 51, claimed he had substantial funds to invest in The Grecians before he was appointed chairman in May 2002.
In reality, the club's new saviour had no cash and no assets to plough into the Devon club, who were already severely in debt, a court heard.
Russell and his deputy, Michael Lewis, desperately attempted to keep the club going despite going further into the red during their first and only season in charge.
Debts went unpaid, cheques bounced and money ringfenced for the club's academy and community projects were illegally transferred by the club, Bristol Crown Court was told.
The two men continued trading despite knowing the club was insolvent and unable to repay loans.
Russell, of Cannon Hall Close, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to fraudulent trading and obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.
Lewis, 65, of Loughor Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, also admitted fraudulent trading, but was sentenced to 200 hours of community work after the judge accepted he played a lesser role in the scam.
In sentencing Russell, Judge David Ticehurst told him that he had betrayed the club's football fans and treated it as his own personal domain.
"You wanted to be the club's financial saviour or white knight even though you knew that was quite impossible," he said.
"The deception could be seen in your conduct at the club when you sent personal guarantees knowing you did not have the financial means to meet them."
The court heard the two men took over the club in May 2002.
Russell was to provide the much-needed financial investment and commercial know-how, while Lewis, the former chairman of Swansea, was the "football man" who would use his contacts and expertise to help the club.
But the new regime was built on a lie.
Russell, who left the same position at Scarborough after the Yorkshire club went into administration, had claimed he owned a hotel, property and businesses which would help transform the club's fortunes.
Paul Dunkels, prosecuting, said: "He was broke. He had no assets, no money and no bank account and certainly had no money to invest in Exeter City."
Russell offered his directors generous personal guarantees over existing debts and liabilities, which were in fact "worthless", the court heard.
Russell effectively dispensed with board meetings, as the other directors were sidelined.
Cheques began bouncing, loans were not being repaid and creditors were soon getting nervous, the court heard.
Russell and Lewis continued to offer assurances that everything was fine and appeared to ignore a series of warnings about the club's impending insolvency.
The court were told they moved money from accounts to buy themselves time and told banks that money would be deposited within hours, but never materialised.
During their ill-fated period in charge, pop superstar Michael Jackson was made an honorary director of the club, and visited the club's St James Park with his friend Uri Geller, who was appointed vice-chairman.
But even that proved a failure as the PR events made a loss.
Russell admitted that by September 2002 he realised the club was insolvent and was now trading illegally. Lewis, who previously worked at Spurs, Reading and Cardiff, claimed he was only aware of the club's dire financial position in March 2003.
Despite the mounting debts, both men paid themselves "expenses" and generous consultancy fees, while Mr Russell's wife Gillian was one of the few creditors to be paid back.
Both men also charged the club for their rents and even found positions for their family at the business. Lewis later told police that "half the clubs" in the football league were trading illegally after going bust.
Both men blamed the previous regime for the club's position and said it was effectively bankrupt when they took it over.
When asked by police what he had brought to the club, Russell told them: "Expertise."
The court heard the men left Exeter £4.5million in debt and on the brink of extinction.
The supporters' trust took over the club and agreed to pay back 7p in the pound to creditors, leaving dozens of businesses and individuals hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Russell had previously been convicted of two counts of obtaining money by deception at Bradford Crown Court in 1999, and was given a 15-month sentence - suspended for two years.
Derek Duffy, defending, said the former footballer had "deluded" himself he could save the club, but had never attempt to gain from his involvement at Exeter.
He said he may have been guilty of being "too ambitious" and said he had tried to sign Paul Gascoigne to the club.
Duffy said: "We accept Mr Russell acted dishonestly, the reason for that dishonesty was not to benefit himself but in the mistaken belief that if he had got to the end of the season, Exeter could have been saved.
He added: "He doesn't deserve to go to prison for living the dream."
Exeter ended the season being relegated to the Conference.
Speaking after the day-long sentencing, Lewis said: "It's taken a toll on both of us. I'm just shocked at the sentence John has received.
"I think many football clubs will be thinking 'there for the grace of God'."
Neil Le Milliere, 53, who now sits on the Exeter board, said the fans were pleased with the sentence.
"Hopefully this will send out a message to anyone thinking of doing something similar not to.
"We were very close to the brink. The supporters' trust put three directors in place, who took no money and expenses, and they brought (the club) back from the brink of extinction." Daily Mail
Ex-Exeter's Chairman & Deputy Court Sentence for Fraudulent Trading
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BBC - Football fraudsters due in court
The ex-chairman of Exeter City Football Club and his deputy are to be sentenced after they admitted fraudulent trading.
The offences committed by John Russell, 51, from West Yorkshire, and Michael Lewis, 65, from Swansea, left the club several million pounds in debt.
They managed to pull off a coup in 2002 by attracting singer Michael Jackson to St James' Park, as well as illusionists Uri Gellar and David Blaine.
Russell and Lewis will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday.
Russell, from Cannon Hall Close, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, and Lewis, from Loughor Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, pleaded guilty last month to the fraud, which took place between February 2002 and May 2003.
Russell also pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.
The pair said they believed they were caught after Geller reported them to the police.
The football club is now being run by a supporters' trust BBC
BBC - Football fraudsters due in court
The ex-chairman of Exeter City Football Club and his deputy are to be sentenced after they admitted fraudulent trading.
The offences committed by John Russell, 51, from West Yorkshire, and Michael Lewis, 65, from Swansea, left the club several million pounds in debt.
They managed to pull off a coup in 2002 by attracting singer Michael Jackson to St James' Park, as well as illusionists Uri Gellar and David Blaine.
Russell and Lewis will be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday.
Russell, from Cannon Hall Close, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, and Lewis, from Loughor Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, pleaded guilty last month to the fraud, which took place between February 2002 and May 2003.
Russell also pleaded guilty to obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.
The pair said they believed they were caught after Geller reported them to the police.
The football club is now being run by a supporters' trust BBC
Leeds Ken Bates Warning Over Leeds Future
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BBC - Bates warning over Leeds future
Leeds chairman Ken Bates believes the club will find it hard to survive if creditors vote against his bid to buy back the Yorkshire side on Friday.
The former Chelsea chief took the debt-ridden club into administration ahead of the final weekend of season.
"If they want a football club in Leeds they should make sure they vote the right way," he told Yorkshire Radio.
Administrators KPMG agreed to sell the club back to Bates, but the deal has yet to approved by creditors.
The creditors, and the Football League, will consider a Company Voluntary Agreement under which they would forego some of Leeds' £35m debt.
Bates added: "If the CVA fails, I can assure the fans it's unlikely there will be a Leeds United Football Club. Remember Accrington took 45 years to get back to league status from when they went out of the league.
"Hopefully we can move forward and put the tribulations of the last five to six years behind us and start again with an open and even playing field so we can start getting the club back to where it belongs."
Meanwhile, Leeds businessman Simon Morris has also submitted plans for a £10m takeover while Duncan Revie, son of legendary former Leeds manager Don, has said that he is considering making an offer.
Taking Leeds into administration resulted in a statutory 10-point deduction for a club that had already been relegated to League One. BBC
BBC - Bates warning over Leeds future
Leeds chairman Ken Bates believes the club will find it hard to survive if creditors vote against his bid to buy back the Yorkshire side on Friday.
The former Chelsea chief took the debt-ridden club into administration ahead of the final weekend of season.
"If they want a football club in Leeds they should make sure they vote the right way," he told Yorkshire Radio.
Administrators KPMG agreed to sell the club back to Bates, but the deal has yet to approved by creditors.
The creditors, and the Football League, will consider a Company Voluntary Agreement under which they would forego some of Leeds' £35m debt.
Bates added: "If the CVA fails, I can assure the fans it's unlikely there will be a Leeds United Football Club. Remember Accrington took 45 years to get back to league status from when they went out of the league.
"Hopefully we can move forward and put the tribulations of the last five to six years behind us and start again with an open and even playing field so we can start getting the club back to where it belongs."
Meanwhile, Leeds businessman Simon Morris has also submitted plans for a £10m takeover while Duncan Revie, son of legendary former Leeds manager Don, has said that he is considering making an offer.
Taking Leeds into administration resulted in a statutory 10-point deduction for a club that had already been relegated to League One. BBC
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Role Reversal: Policeman Banned from Nottingham Forest Games
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Vital Football - Nottinham Forest
A Notts police officer has been banned from attending Forest matches and disciplined by the force after claims he shouted racist abuse at players.
The action against PC Mark Marriott followed an investigation by the force's professional standards unit into complaints of obscene and abusive language at matches when he was off-duty.
Police were contacted by Forest after the club received a complaint from a couple about PC Marriott's behaviour.
South Notts Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent John Busuttil, said: 'The complaint relating to a Notts police officer has now been independently investigated by the professional standards unit. It has resulted in the officer being disciplined in accordance with the police misconduct regulations, and will remain on file.
'Nottinghamshire Police expects professional conduct and behaviour of its staff both on and off duty. Staff should never place themselves in a position that could compromise the standards expected, or the reputation of the organisation.
'The outcome of the investigation is a clear indication that we treat any breach of this trust seriously and that misconduct will not be tolerated.'
The Evening Post understands that PC Marriott - a prisoner handler at Carlton police station - received a formal written warning which will remain on his record throughout his police career.
PC Marriott, who lives in Derbyshire, was a season ticket-holder in the upper section of the Bridgford Stand at the City Ground until the end of the 2005-6 season.
The husband and wife who complained to Forest, who do not want to be named, said: 'We were shocked when we learned the person shouting the abuse was a serving police officer.
'There were lots of parents with children in the Upper Bridgford End when he was shouting at players.
'When we and others told him to stop, he would swear at us and said it was none of our business.
'Football is a game played and watched with passion, but there is no place for this.'
The couple have been sent a copy of the completed inquiry by the Notts police professional standards unit, which included an undercover officer posing as a supporter in a seat close to PC Marriott and his party.
It describes how PC Marriott was shown CCTV footage of him shouting in the direction of the pitch at the Forest v Colchester United League One clash at the City Ground on Saturday, April 8, 2006.
He claimed he only 'mouthed' certain words, but confirmed to investigating officers he was the man on the footage.
He accepted making a 'V' sign in the direction of the pitch.
Generally, he made no admissions during interview as to language allegedly used at matches.
The professional standards unit found that allegations against PC Marriott were 'substantiated'.
The Crown Prosecution Service assessed the evidence against PC Marriott provided by the standards unit but decided not to prosecute.
A spokesman for Nottingham Forest said: 'A complaint was received by the club during the 2005-6 season which was immediately put in the hands of Notts Constabulary. We have assisted the police with their inquiries at all times and will continue to do so.'
A source at the club confirmed the officer had been banned, but the club refused to comment on the length or other details of the ban. Vital Football
Vital Football - Nottinham Forest
A Notts police officer has been banned from attending Forest matches and disciplined by the force after claims he shouted racist abuse at players.
The action against PC Mark Marriott followed an investigation by the force's professional standards unit into complaints of obscene and abusive language at matches when he was off-duty.
Police were contacted by Forest after the club received a complaint from a couple about PC Marriott's behaviour.
South Notts Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent John Busuttil, said: 'The complaint relating to a Notts police officer has now been independently investigated by the professional standards unit. It has resulted in the officer being disciplined in accordance with the police misconduct regulations, and will remain on file.
'Nottinghamshire Police expects professional conduct and behaviour of its staff both on and off duty. Staff should never place themselves in a position that could compromise the standards expected, or the reputation of the organisation.
'The outcome of the investigation is a clear indication that we treat any breach of this trust seriously and that misconduct will not be tolerated.'
The Evening Post understands that PC Marriott - a prisoner handler at Carlton police station - received a formal written warning which will remain on his record throughout his police career.
PC Marriott, who lives in Derbyshire, was a season ticket-holder in the upper section of the Bridgford Stand at the City Ground until the end of the 2005-6 season.
The husband and wife who complained to Forest, who do not want to be named, said: 'We were shocked when we learned the person shouting the abuse was a serving police officer.
'There were lots of parents with children in the Upper Bridgford End when he was shouting at players.
'When we and others told him to stop, he would swear at us and said it was none of our business.
'Football is a game played and watched with passion, but there is no place for this.'
The couple have been sent a copy of the completed inquiry by the Notts police professional standards unit, which included an undercover officer posing as a supporter in a seat close to PC Marriott and his party.
It describes how PC Marriott was shown CCTV footage of him shouting in the direction of the pitch at the Forest v Colchester United League One clash at the City Ground on Saturday, April 8, 2006.
He claimed he only 'mouthed' certain words, but confirmed to investigating officers he was the man on the footage.
He accepted making a 'V' sign in the direction of the pitch.
Generally, he made no admissions during interview as to language allegedly used at matches.
The professional standards unit found that allegations against PC Marriott were 'substantiated'.
The Crown Prosecution Service assessed the evidence against PC Marriott provided by the standards unit but decided not to prosecute.
A spokesman for Nottingham Forest said: 'A complaint was received by the club during the 2005-6 season which was immediately put in the hands of Notts Constabulary. We have assisted the police with their inquiries at all times and will continue to do so.'
A source at the club confirmed the officer had been banned, but the club refused to comment on the length or other details of the ban. Vital Football
Monday, May 28, 2007
FIFA Bans High-Atltitude Internationals
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BBC -
Fifa bans high-altitude football
Football's governing body, Fifa, has banned international teams from playing matches at more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level.
Fifa said the decision was made because of concerns over players' health and possible distortion of competition.
The ruling was greeted with dismay in Latin America, notably in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, where games in La Paz are played at an altitude of 3,600m.
Peru had hoped to stage upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Cuzco, at 3,400m.
Local commentators in Peru suggested Fifa made the decision after pressure from South America's two major football powers, Brazil and Argentina.
Both nations have struggled in recent years while playing at altitude, where the thin air hands an advantage to those acclimatised to the conditions.
'Discrimination'
Playing sport in conditions of high altitude places heavy demands on the body, forcing the heart to work harder.
To play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair
Sepp Blatter
Fifa president
Earlier in 2007, Brazilian club Flamengo said they would not play again at altitude after several of their players needed oxygen during a game against Bolivian team Real Potosi, held at nearly 4,000m (13,120ft).
Bolivian football officials described the ban as an "injustice" and "discrimination", the EFE news agency reported.
But Fifa's President Sepp Blatter said the organisation had anticipated protests from Latin America.
"The executive committee have listened to a proposal from the medical committee and have decided to act because to play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair," he said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6697159.stm
BBC -
Fifa bans high-altitude football
Football's governing body, Fifa, has banned international teams from playing matches at more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level.
Fifa said the decision was made because of concerns over players' health and possible distortion of competition.
The ruling was greeted with dismay in Latin America, notably in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, where games in La Paz are played at an altitude of 3,600m.
Peru had hoped to stage upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Cuzco, at 3,400m.
Local commentators in Peru suggested Fifa made the decision after pressure from South America's two major football powers, Brazil and Argentina.
Both nations have struggled in recent years while playing at altitude, where the thin air hands an advantage to those acclimatised to the conditions.
'Discrimination'
Playing sport in conditions of high altitude places heavy demands on the body, forcing the heart to work harder.
To play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair
Sepp Blatter
Fifa president
Earlier in 2007, Brazilian club Flamengo said they would not play again at altitude after several of their players needed oxygen during a game against Bolivian team Real Potosi, held at nearly 4,000m (13,120ft).
Bolivian football officials described the ban as an "injustice" and "discrimination", the EFE news agency reported.
But Fifa's President Sepp Blatter said the organisation had anticipated protests from Latin America.
"The executive committee have listened to a proposal from the medical committee and have decided to act because to play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair," he said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6697159.stm
Friday, May 25, 2007
"The Webster Ruling" - Hearts Challenge Football Decision
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A case that may have repercussions for all football clubs and players.
BBC - Hearts challenge Webster ruling
Hearts are to appeal against Fifa's decision to fine Andy Webster £625,000 - because they believe they are due more than £4m in compensation.
Scotland defender Webster invoked a Fifa regulation to leave Hearts last summer before the end of his contract.
He thereafter joined Wigan and has since moved on loan to Rangers.
The appeal from Hearts was expected to arrive at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, before the close of business on Friday.
." BBC
A case that may have repercussions for all football clubs and players.
BBC - Hearts challenge Webster ruling
Hearts are to appeal against Fifa's decision to fine Andy Webster £625,000 - because they believe they are due more than £4m in compensation.
Scotland defender Webster invoked a Fifa regulation to leave Hearts last summer before the end of his contract.
He thereafter joined Wigan and has since moved on loan to Rangers.
The appeal from Hearts was expected to arrive at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, before the close of business on Friday.
." BBC
