Yoosk today! - Money in football: justified or out of control?

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Money in football: justified or out of control?

Presented by

Richard Aldhous

Submit questions by Sep 20 2007
Interview published on Sep 27 2007

Introduction

Sky's intervention in the football market has revolutionised the way the game is played and watched today. With even the bottom club in this year's Premiership earning £30million in prize money, and players such as Frank Lampard reportedly refusing to sign a deal worth in excess of £100,000 a week, we are a million miles away from the days of boggy pitches and crumbling terraces. But has football gone too far? Is the money obscene? And have our players completely lost sight of what is, in reality, just a game.

Linvoy Primus - Premiership footballer with Portsmouth. Linvoy is a hugely-respected face in the sport who embarks on extensive charity work through his 'Faith & Football' project. As a competitor, he has risen up through the ranks having played in all four UK divisions amassing almost 500 league and Cup appearances.

Brian Barwick - Chief Executive of the English Football Association. Mr Barwick is a former head of sport at ITV, and since landing one of the biggest jobs in football at the FA, has sought to innovate and inspire the game, from grass roots level right up to the Premiership. Has been central to the success of the new Wembley stadium.

Paul Ince - Former Premiership winner; now manager of MK Dons. Talismatic and gutsy footballer who starred for the likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool. A driving force in the game throughout the 1990's both at club and international level, and someone who is using his knowledge and experience to now oversee the transformation of Milton Keynes.

Barry Fry - Director of Football, Peterborough United. Confident, charismatic and humourous figure who has spent many years fuelling the game in the bottom two divisions. An old-school, no-nonsense character who up until recently was risking his own home in order to save United from the wall as the movement of money into League Two slowed alarmingly.

Brian Barwick (show answers)

the6thestate asked Brian Barwick: "Do you foresee a time when every Premiership side is in the hands of a billionaire with a questionable background? Is there any way for you to safeguard against this?"
Brian Barwick answer: "I foresee a time when every Premier League club is a thriving commercial and financial institution – a business – boasting a successful set-up both on and off the pitch, giving back more to fans and the..." Show more»" I foresee a time when every Premier League club is a thriving commercial and financial institution – a business – boasting a successful set-up both on and off the pitch, giving back more to fans and the local communities than ever before. In fact, I think we’re almost there now! "Show less«
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acethanoi asked Brian Barwick: "In the 15 years of the Premiership we have had just 4 different champions - Man utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Blackburn. Is this good for the game? Wouldn't a salary cap like they have in Aussie rules inject..." Show more »"In the 15 years of the Premiership we have had just 4 different champions - Man utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Blackburn. Is this good for the game? Wouldn't a salary cap like they have in Aussie rules inject a bit of life and interest into the game?" Show less »
Brian Barwick answer: "The problem with a salary cap is that you cannot just apply it to one league, so it would have to be approached as a Europe-wide initiative. At the end of the day football is a business, and it is up ..." Show more»" The problem with a salary cap is that you cannot just apply it to one league, so it would have to be approached as a Europe-wide initiative. At the end of the day football is a business, and it is up to those at the top to maintain their dominance. Certainly, Blackburn haven’t been a permanent fixture in the top 4, and until recently neither had Chelsea. The top league has always been dominated by the same few clubs, though at least now with the Champions League set-up there are very great rewards for finishing 4th, or lower down for the UEFA Cup. We didn’t have those incentives twenty or thirty years ago, so as things stand, there are actually more opportunities for clubs to play and achieve more. "Show less«
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judvark asked Brian Barwick: "Are the FA going to do anything to help control foreign ownership in the Barclays Premier League?"
Brian Barwick answer: "There are some points we must lay down regarding ownership. First and foremost is the fact that foreign ownership is no different to UK ownership. Just because someone isn’t born on these fair shores,..." Show more»" There are some points we must lay down regarding ownership. First and foremost is the fact that foreign ownership is no different to UK ownership. Just because someone isn’t born on these fair shores, that doesn’t mean to say they shouldn’t hold as much right to investing in a football club as anyone else. Essentially, it is because the Premier League is such a hugely attractive financial proposition that makes people are willing to invest their money into the game. It is the most exciting and most successful domestic league in the world, and we should all be hugely proud of the impact it is having on the game. The second point is that whoever owns football clubs has to undergo a rigorous cross-examination as part of our ‘Fit and Proper Persons Test’. Anyone who doesn’t fulfil the criteria won’t be able to play a part in the game. Similarly, if we have reservations about the true intentions of people coming into the game then we have the right to put a stop to any plans. It has worked well so far, and will continue to work well, because our investment in the game is to make sure we maintain its status at the top of the tree, so whether investors and owners are foreign or UK-based doesn’t really come into it. "Show less«
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bonzo1 asked Brian Barwick: "The amount of money in the game and the "win at all costs" culture it has spawned has inevitably led to an increase in the amount of cheating and unsportsmanlike behaviour. What can be done to stop,..." Show more »"The amount of money in the game and the "win at all costs" culture it has spawned has inevitably led to an increase in the amount of cheating and unsportsmanlike behaviour. What can be done to stop, or at the very least, control it?" Show less »
Brian Barwick answer: "The Football Association take a very dim view of any player who plays out unsporting behaviour on the football field. We have a set list of prevention and penalty measures, and we are always reviewing..." Show more»" The Football Association take a very dim view of any player who plays out unsporting behaviour on the football field. We have a set list of prevention and penalty measures, and we are always reviewing and reshaping these to ensure the overall health and faith in the game remains constant. "Show less«
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Paul Ince (show answers)

the6thestate asked Paul Ince: "How do you think the majority of players feel about the amounts that top players get paid? Does it fuel their ambition or are they concerned about the way the game is going?"
Paul Ince answer: "I think players really want to earn as much as possible – why shouldn’t they? At the end of the day their career span is very short and they have to take all of the opportunities open to them. Many thousands..." Show more»" I think players really want to earn as much as possible – why shouldn’t they? At the end of the day their career span is very short and they have to take all of the opportunities open to them. Many thousands fall by the wayside every year so those who do make it deserve a good wage. "Show less«
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TimHood asked Paul Ince: "Do you think that the consistent under-performance of the England team can be directly related to the presence of so much money washing around the Premiership? Does it affect players motivation, for e..." Show more »"Do you think that the consistent under-performance of the England team can be directly related to the presence of so much money washing around the Premiership? Does it affect players motivation, for example?" Show less »
Paul Ince answer: "I’m not sure they are under-performing as such, and really the national team was doing no better when there weren’t many foreigners plying their trade in the Premier League. National teams always go through..." Show more»" I’m not sure they are under-performing as such, and really the national team was doing no better when there weren’t many foreigners plying their trade in the Premier League. National teams always go through up’s and down’s and we have always been unlucky in major tournaments. I have always thought that foreign players coming in to the game is a good thing for the England team. It teaches us how continental national and club sides play and makes us more aware of how we need to play. "Show less«
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bonzo1 asked Paul Ince: "How do you feel about the apparent lack of desire amongst certain players to play for their country? Do you think this is connected with pressure from clubs to protect their prime "assets" ?"
Paul Ince answer: "I think players do still genuinely want to play for their countries – guys like David Beckham and John Terry are passionate about England. And look at how the under-21’s went about their European Championships..." Show more»" I think players do still genuinely want to play for their countries – guys like David Beckham and John Terry are passionate about England. And look at how the under-21’s went about their European Championships over the summer. I was England’s first black Captain and I know representing my country was a monumental thing. I think clubs are more protective over their players these days – that’s true – because there is so much more at stake. "Show less«
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Linvoy Primus (show answers)

bonzo1 asked Linvoy Primus: "Does the disparity in wages between players in the same team cause any disharmony in the dressing room?"
Linvoy Primus answer: "Personally, I’ve never had a problem with what other players earn. I started my career at Barnet and having seen the lower end of the football ladder I am grateful to have been able to work my way up...." Show more»" Personally, I’ve never had a problem with what other players earn. I started my career at Barnet and having seen the lower end of the football ladder I am grateful to have been able to work my way up. There are obviously many players who haven’t been able to do this, but the same goes for situations within clubs. Some players are better than others, and like in any other business, people will earn different amounts of money to each other. That’s just the way things go. Of course, you read stories and hear rumours about players demanding what others are earning, but it has never really been something that has troubled me. "Show less«
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Barry Fry (show answers)

bonzo1 asked Barry Fry: "How much money trickles down from the Premiership to teams like Peterborough? Should it be more?"
Barry Fry answer: "Peanuts. But that’s how the game is these days. When you’ve got players being looked at by Premier League clubs it’s great, because that’s the only way you’re going to see a good amount of that money ..." Show more»" Peanuts. But that’s how the game is these days. When you’ve got players being looked at by Premier League clubs it’s great, because that’s the only way you’re going to see a good amount of that money come filtering down, but when you’re struggling to pay the bills compared to those at the top raking in millions every week, that’s when it can seem that football has lost its common sense. There are ways of getting around the money side though, and that’s to invest in players who really want to achieve. The Premiership has created a lot of big-time Charlies, and by the time they come down to League 1 or 2 they’re in it just for the money as they wind down their careers. That is why we have recruited a lot of players from the non-league game. The top players are as good at or better than most players in Leagues 1 and 2, and having seen the other side of the game they have a real hunger and a drive to succeed. They give it 100% every match and every training session, are willing to learn, and it’s one of the most refreshing things you can find in the modern game. "Show less«
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