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David Jones explains why clubs with large stadia will benefit from new FFP rules

Features Posted 13th February 2013 view comments

One of the enduring joys of this job is the constant variety of challenges it throws your way.

From quizzing David Ginola about Gareth Bale one daym to unravelling football's new finance directives another - and that's this week's treat awaiting viewers of The Footballers' Football Show.

Dein: will guest on this week's Footballers' Football Show

Dein: will guest on this week's Footballers' Football Show

It might not sound that sexy on the face of it but the impact on the Premier League could be huge.

Put simply, it seems the days of the sugar daddy could be behind us.

From next season, and for the first time, clubs spending on player wages will be subject to restraints; the riches of the TV deal will not solely be lining the pockets of players and agents.

While there are controls on how clubs spend the new TV income, any extra money generated through match-day revenue or commercial streams can be spent as clubs please.

David Jones
Quotes of the week

But in the emerging era of austerity, stadium capacity could turn out to be the new currency.

While there are controls on how clubs spend the new TV income, any extra money generated through match-day revenue or commercial streams can be spent as clubs please, instantly putting those with large stadia at a huge advantage.

Shortfall

Last season for example, Manchester United's match-day revenue was a staggering £98.7m, while Arsenal managed to pull in £95m thanks to a full Emirates Stadium.

But compare those figures with rivals Liverpool, whose Anfield stadium has almost half the capacity of Old Trafford.

Their match-day income was less than half that of United's: £45m.

So in simple terms that's a £50m shortfall on their rivals every season; £50m less they have to spend on player wages every season.That's an awful lot of ground to make up.

No wonder then that Liverpool, plus other giants Chelsea, and Tottenham are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new or expanded home.

Of course, there are other ways to earn, and most do through hefty sponsorship deals of their shirts, training kit, and stadiums. It's another area clubs will look towards to gain an advantage in the season ahead.

So how will football's landscape shift in the new era? Will Arsenal's prudence bear fruit?

We'll put three men on the spot who should have the answers - David Dein and Christian Purslow - once of Arsenal and Liverpool respectively - and QPR's Phillip Beard will offer their perspective.

Watch the Footballers' Football Show, 10.30pm, Thursday, Sky Sports 1 HD.

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