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Dan Plumley shares verdict as West Ham United now on UEFA watchlist
We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive West Ham United columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium...
Dan Plumley has insisted that West Ham United should be fine despite being placed on the UEFA watchlist for Financial Fair Play compliance.
The Finance Expert has looked into the latest accounts of the Irons which currently show a cumulative loss of around £60million over the three/four year period, but that doesn’t include COVID deductions and other potential deductions.
Plumley did admit that it shows the pressure on clubs when they are going well on the pitch as they spend to try and reach Europe, but can then be caught out by UEFA regulations.
“Having a look at the numbers, so looking at the bottom line of what we can see in the account, given the COVID situation and the average years, I’ve got them at about a £60million cumulative loss over the three/four year period,” he exclusively told West Ham Zone.
“That doesn’t take into account COVID deductions which need to come off, that doesn’t take into account any other exemptions that you can file away against FFP.
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“So, that then puts it into you’re not breaking it by a huge amount if they have done, in terms of being concerns, they’re the numbers we can see – I don’t think West Ham will be overly concerned given their current position and what is happening with loads of others being on the watchlist and FFP changing.
“I would look at that and think they’re ok. It shows the pressure when clubs are doing well on the pitch as you have to overstretch a little bit financially to get into the European places anyway, you run the risk of breaking some of the UEFA regulations to do it.”
No concern?
The initial reaction to anything along these lines is to worry slightly, but there will be full confidence in GSBK to run a smooth, transparent ship at the London Stadium.
Tasting success in Europe clearly brings along eyes to everything going on at your club, with Rangers also now on the watchlist after they joined the Irons in getting to the semi-finals and even went beyond.
With no huge reason to be concerned, this should slowly fade away, it is down to West Ham United to remain transparent and hopefully avoid any punishment now.