Kieran Maguire: West Ham United now adjust their spending levels after UEFA watchlist update
Kieran Maguire has insisted that West Ham United may now adjust their spending levels after UEFA confirmed they were now on their watchlist for FFP.
It was confirmed on Friday that UEFA would be watching the Irons for Financial Fair Play compliance after eight clubs were sanctioned for previous breaches.
Finance Expert, Maguire, admitted that usually sees clubs take a step back from big spending with possible penalties including fines potentially on the table.
Speaking to Hammers News, Maguire shared what the latest news could mean for the Irons as they try to adjust to these new circumstances.
“Past experience suggests clubs under the microscope, as West Ham now are, tend to adjust their spending levels and keep within the limits,” he said.
“I have seen some clubs report themselves to the UEFA Chamber if think they will be in breach in order to negotiate a lower penalty.
“The fines are subtracted from the UEFA payouts from participating in the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League etc.”
Out of nowhere.
This news has come out of nowhere, and it is likely to do with the fact that West Ham United finally returned to European football last season.
More importantly, they returned into the scope of UEFA who have clearly been casting an eye on the clubs involved, with Rangers also on the watchlist.
There were no signs of GSBK slowing down this summer though.
Lucas Paqueta coming in for above £50million smashed the transfer record at the London Stadium, and other big deals for the likes of Nayef Aguerd and Gianluca Scamacca took the total spend way above £100million.
Of course, given how the Irons only entered the watchlist on Friday (02 September), the situation is unlikely to be critical or even be considered that heavily.
Maguire did admit that clubs in this situation do usually cut back on spending slightly to avoid going further than the watchlist though, so this summer may have been one last hoorah for the time being.
All eyes are on the Irons.