There has been simmering tension between Manchester United supporters and The Glazers from the moment they sent a highly profitable club tumbling into hundreds of millions of pounds worth of debt with their arguably cynical takeover in 2005.
Not even the most optimistic fan could argue that the American tycoons bought the club because they love Manchester United or football. Dress it up how you like, but these guys appear only to be in it for the money. The long-term health and success of the club perhaps isn’t their primary goal.
But they have, just about, managed to keep their heads above water. There was talk of mass walk outs and The Green and Gold revolution. But, in the end, the revolution was quashed and an uneasy truce called.
But reports in The Telegraph imply that Manchester United may now be called to account by FFP for their huge debt burden:
Manchester United could become the next target of Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations after the governing body confirmed it would consider making debt reduction part of any change to the rules.
United have sailed through Uefa’s existing FFP tests, which focus exclusively on preventing clubs recording annual losses. But European football’s governing body has arranged a meeting on Monday to discuss potential tweaks to the regulations, amid criticisms it punishes over-investment but not the accumulation of debt.
If this does happen it would surely represent the metaphorical straw that broke the camel’s back. The Glazers finally made the requisite investment in players this summer after years of arguably under investing. But the idea of being fined and banned from signing players – a fate which has befallen Barcelona – would surely lead to open revolt.
In the long run it might even be good for Manchester United. Such sanctions may push The Glazers toward the exit door as the financial fragility of the club is further compounded by a potentially hefty fine and/or signing bans.
But even if it did happen and The Glazers decided to dig in, the pressure put on them by the fans to leave the club would perhaps be overwhelming this time.
Few Manchester United fans want them at the helm and the sanctions would be further evidence that they are running the club in a highly unhealthy manner.
Manchester United fans: would FFP sanctions be the final straw?
