There is a fairly new phenomenon in football that has shaped the financial landscape over the past few years. Before that clubs were free to spend whatever amounts of money that they wanted to or felt necessary to compete and win competitions across the world. That, of course, meant that a few clubs shot to prominence with the financial backing of billionaires from across the globe. Some flourished, the problem, however, was that some clubs spent beyond their means and struggled when success didn’t follow.

Financial Fair Play was brought in to try and protect from the second problem. Clubs have gone bankrupt, liquidated and been in financial turmoil for years after spending too much. Financial Fair Play is a rule that means clubs can no longer spend beyond their means; limiting transfer budgets respective to money being brought in to the club through television deals, advertising revenue and player sales. It is still early days, but the early signs are very promising.