Farron backs financial fair play in the Football League

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has tabled a motion in Parliament backing the Financial Fair Play measures introduced by the Football League, aimed at ensuring clubs no longer spend beyond their means in an attempt to achieve promotion. The motion also commends innovative ticket pricing schemes and measures to boost attendances by League clubs.

The Financial Fair Play system, which is being phased in over a number of seasons, commits Championship clubs to a "break-even" model similar to that proposed by UEFA for Europe's elite clubs. This is currently being trialled, and will require clubs to stay within pre-defined limits on losses and shareholder equity investment, which will reduce until sanctions come into force.

Leagues 1 and 2 will adopt the system currently in force in League 2, which caps wage expenditure at a specific percentage of a club's turnover.

Commenting, Tim said "I am pleased the League continues to make progress on this issue, and that the Financial Fair Play rules have been met with universal acceptance from League clubs.

"We cannot accept any situation in which irresponsible owners overstretch wage bills to a point where the future of a football club is put in jeopardy. Not only is gambling money they don't have in this way unfair on other clubs who operate within their means, it causes genuine heartache for fans who can only watch powerlessly while the club they love faces oblivion.

"The other aspect of this issue concerns attendances, and I wanted to draw attention to schemes such as the dynamic ticket pricing operated by Derby and Cardiff among others. I have been extremely impressed by the various initiatives run throughout the Leagues to get grounds filled, with clubs like Morecambe offering reduced prices and on occasion offering free tickets.

"These policies can only benefit fans, and it is vital that we see League grounds filled with passionate supporters of their local team"