President of the ECA, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, who also holds this position in Paris, tackled FC Barcelona last week during an assembly organized in Istanbul. “The new financial sustainability rules are a positive development. Rules control costs. They encourage investment and new investors. They will help ensure the sustainability of football. But we have to be careful; dangerous levels of debt and the magic injection of capital are not a sustainable path. We need to think long term, not short term.” His remarks onthe magic injection of capital” were interpreted as a tackle for Barça, who recruited this summer when the club has financial problems.
This Wednesday, NAK gave a layer of it during an interview granted to Politico. “Is it right? No, it’s not fair… Is it legal? I am not sure.” Then he added regarding the sale of club culé assets, including that of 25% of its unprofitable digital content arm for 100 million euros to a company run by the founder of Mediapro: “If they allow them, others will do the same. UEFA of course has its own rules [financières]. They are sure to watch everything.”. Pointed out by his detractors who accuse him of using his influence, in particular thanks to his positions at PSG, ECA and beIN Media Group, Al-Khelaïfi replied as follows: “When there are problems, they need me, I am there to help them. No one sees a conflict. I have never exploited or taken advantage of my position”. A good focus!
