Man City record losses - Will UEFA enforce financial fair play

As Manchester City declare a record loss of £197.5m, fuelled by a wage bill of a staggering £174m, speculation has begun about whether UEFA will enforce the financial fair play (FFP) rules which come in beginning with financial years ending in 2012.

The new UEFA rules effectively create a level 'financial' playing field by forcing clubs to make losses of no more than £38.5m over the 3 year period to the end of the 2014/15 season. The current position of clubs in the UK ranges from the Man City result (£197m loss) to a £56m profit posted by Arsenal.

The rules aim to make football more sustainable and stop the spiralling wage bills funded by 'benefactor' club owners who some argue simply wish to win at all costs, irrespective of the cost. It will become apparent next year whether UEFA will enforce the rules when Man City and other clubs such as Chelsea (losses this year of £78m) post their results in 2012...watch this space as the story develops!