Study Suggests Clubs in Europe Could be Devalued; Bala Devi Hopes for ISL-Style League For Women and More (Football Round-up)

Top clubs in Europe are likely to take a 20-25% hit on their enterprise values (EV) because of the ‘unprecedented crisis’ caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a study conducted by KPMG has revealed.

The study also included players’ devaluation along with performance of the largest listed teams in the last few months and compared the data with what KPMG had collected last year.

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“KPMG’s forecast of the devaluation of the football sector at the top end of the market is between 20% and 25%, when compared with our recently published results of clubs’ EV as of Jan. 1 2020,” KPMG’s global head of sports Andrea Sartori said in a statement.

The study showed a 25.4% drop in the square value of French champions Paris St Germain after Ligue 1 was cancelled in April. 

The study if accurate will add on to financial restructuring at the top level of football. The domino effect will follow through to all levels of transactions in the game, something Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also hinted at yesterday.  Rummenigge said he forecasts a drop in transfer fees in and salaries as the sport adapts to a new reality.

Bayern secured their eighth Bundesliga title last week and are placed well to challenge for the Champions League in August. The club is expected to see their pay drop from €700 million ($790.44 million) to about €50 million due to the pandemic, Rummenigge said.

Bala Hopes for ISL-style Women’s League

India’s talismanic striker, Bala Devi, says India should build a legacy of hosting the women’s U-17 World Cup and Asian Cup in the country so that football standards in the could be improved.

The 30-year-old senior national team trailblazer wants to see an Indian Super League-style women’s league in the country. India will host the FIFA U-17 World Cup slated to take place in February-March next year and are also hosts for the Asian Cup in 2022.

“I think if a few youngsters do well in the U-17 World Cup, they might be called up for the senior team camps as well, so this would be a good transition, “ Bala isad to PTI in an interview. “These two years will be very exciting for Indian football, but I think the follow-up is even more important.”

“We need to have a good league and a legacy after these two landmark events. Girls need to play full time in schools, colleges, academies, and finally in fully professional or semi-professional teams. I am hoping for an ISL-type scenario for women’s football in future,” she added.

The striker has played more than 40 matches for the country since 2005, and became the first Indian woman footballer to play her trade for a top division side outside the country, when she signed for Glasgow Rangers in the Scottish Premier League.

La Liga Sets Fans’ Protocols

According to the protocol set by La Liga, fans will have to get their temperature checked and will need to wear face masks when they are finally allowed to enter football stadiums in Spain. Fans will also be advised against hugging and high-fiving each other when their team scores.

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A timeline for return of spectators has not been decided but the Spanish league has already set guidelines for when authorities provide a go ahead. The 16-page document of protocol includes details on how fans must behave when they return to stadiums.

Attendance will be limited. There will be specific time slots for supporters to enter venues. No one with a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher will be allowed inside, and the sale of food or team merchandising will not be allowed.

Supporters will be asked to maintain a safe distance inside venues, and to show their backs to other fans while moving within their rows. The audience will also be asked to be seated most of the time and to constantly use alcohol hand gels. 

Season-ticket holders are expected to get the first chance to watch matches. They will have to pre-register with their clubs but the possibility still stands that they will not receive a seat of their choice.

U-17 Group Matches in Guwahati

FIFA announced the revised schedule for the U-17 Women’s tournament that is set to take place next year from February 17 to March 7. 

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The tournament was originally scheduled to be held in November 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Five cities have been confirmed to host fixtures which include Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Kolkata and Navi Mumbai. They will host 32 matches involving sixteen teams. The quarter finals will be held on February 27 and 28 respectively and the two semi-finals will be held simultaneously on March 3 in Navi Mumbai and Bhubaneswar.

The tournament opener, a double header will take place in Guwahati and Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium. The final will be hosted in Navi Mumbai. 

“With the host for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 set to be announced on 25 June 2020, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2021 will provide football fans in India with a chance to welcome the future world stars and heroes of the women’s game next year,” the governing body for the sport said in a statement issued by the local organising committee.

Blackpool Airport suspends banner flights

Blackpool Airport suspended banner flights banner-towing operations on Tuesday after the message ‘White Lives Matter Burnley’ flew over Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in their game against Burnley on Monday. 

Local police are investigating the perpetrators behind the banner that was displayed right after players and officials took a knee in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. 

The manager of Blackpool airport, Stephen Smith said in a statement that the airport and the local council stand against racism and are offended by the incident. 

“The message was offensive and the action reprehensible. The decision to fly the banner was taken entirely by the banner flying company without the knowledge or approval of the airport or Blackpool Council,” Smith said in a statement.

“Blackpool Airport are investigating the banner operator in question and further action will be taken by the Board tomorrow,” he added. 

“Following an emergency review this morning Blackpool Airport will suspend all banner towing operations at the airport with immediate effect and we would suggest that other airports should also consider this approach.”

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