QPR and Leicester head list of clubs ready for legal action against FFP rules



The Football League are facing a revolt over financial fair play, with clubs threatening legal action unless the rules are substantially reformed.

It is believed 10 clubs from the Championship and one from League One — a group including Leicester, Wolves, Bolton, Blackburn and QPR — are behind a strongly-worded letter written to Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey from Manchester law firm Brabners.

It says: ‘The clubs seek clarification, amendment or substantial modification to the rules, all of whom consider there are serious problems in continuing with the rules as they are drafted.

Battle: QPR, with Charlie Austin (right), are one of a number of clubs railing against FFP

‘It is no exaggeration that the very existence or solvency of some is at risk, and therefore, unless there is action or movement, there will undoubtedly be a legal challenge, as a collective and individually, from those impacted.’

The aggrieved clubs believe the restrictions on spending and losses make it impossible to adjust to promotion or relegation, especially with the FFP rules for the Championship differing markedly from those for the PL and Leagues One and Two.

Flagging it up: Leicester City, with Jamie Vardy celebrating, are also among those considering legal action

And there is upset over FFP fines now going to charity rather than being distributed among the law-abiding clubs, a change decided between the FL and PL without consultation.

Harvey has responded in a letter circulated to all 72 clubs defending the FFP rules, which Championship clubs voted to accept by a 21-3 margin in April 2012. Harvey wrote: ‘We are comfortable the rules were incorporated properly and this is an attempt by a few clubs to impose their views on the majority, who approved their implementation — a position we will vigorously defend if required.’

Left-wing: But Sir Alex Ferguson's grandson Charlie is educated at a top public school

Staunch socialist Sir Alex Ferguson will have to come to terms with grandson Charlie being educated at a top public school.



The 14-year-old is the son of Peterborough manager Darren’s ex-wife Nadine from a previous relationship.

Darren and Nadine married in 2002 and separated five years later but Fergie has always treated Charlie as one of 11 grandchildren.



The former Manchester United manager rushed to Charlie’s side in hospital after he was hurt in a serious car accident with Nadine in 2009, from which both made a full recovery.

Making his point: Roy Hodgson will not be able to use England's usual training ground at Arsenal's centre

England’s preparations for next week’s friendly against Denmark have been inconvenienced by Arsenal not hiring out their training ground as usual.



Roy Hodgson’s side are based at the Grove Hotel outside Watford and will have to make the longer journey to Tottenham’s facilities in Enfield. Arsenal say they need London Colney for their own training.

Sky pitchside reporter Andy Burton has been told by Manchester United officials not to expect any more player interviews. Burton upset midfielder Michael Carrick and United staff with his line of questioning about missing Sir Alex Ferguson after the humiliating 2-0 Champions League defeat by Olympiacos.

Brit boost for Dyke

With FA chairman Greg Dyke scheduled to reveal his interim England Commission findings to the FA board today, Premier League statistics have shown healthy British footballer involvement up to the age of 21.

The PL claim 96 per cent of Under 16s in the elite academies are British as are 85 per cent in the U18 competition. A still healthy 72 per cent are playing in the U21 PL fixtures that are expected to be beefed up as a way of improving the pathway to the England senior side.

Meanwhile Wembley, faced with trying to sell 17,500 debenture seats that bankroll the ground in a dire-looking Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, have finally signed a six-year stadium sponsorship deal. Digital communications company EE have agreed a contract worth £4million a year in cash and technology services.

Young gun: Southampton's Luke Shaw is just one of a rising number of young English players