Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said that big clubs should not be forced to join the “great unwashed” through regulations.
Buck, who has been chairman at the Blues since Roman Abramovich’s takeover of the club in 2003, spoke out against any regulations to encourage competitive balance, saying that curbing the power of top clubs would damage the sport.
UEFA had been looking at introducing regulations to stop European competitions being won by the same few sides again and again, especially after Real Madrid’s dominant run recently.
Speaking out about any sort of regulations to the Associated Press, Buck said:
In terms of competitive balance, which is always viewed in a negative way, I personally believe for the development of football, marquee clubs and marquee players are important.
It is important in developing fan base. It is important encouraging young people to engage in this sport and it also important in terms of the large clubs having the ability to put a lot of money into good causes which they do.
So I am not, as a general proposition, in favor of dumbing down the large clubs in order to make all clubs the great unwashed. They have done that in the U.S. over the last 20 years and it has been to the detriment particularly of baseball … I just don’t think it works for the long term.
UEFA had been looking at introducing a “luxury tax” similar to one used in Major League Baseball. This would put a “tax” on any transfer dealings that are over €100 million.
Buck added:
Clubs have to seek their natural position in the football order. But I don’t think we should assume that because every club is not equal it’s bad.
