Source: Telegraph
Richard Scudamore backs Manchester City's right to spend money on transfers
"Of course we don't want any club to spend more than they need to spend, or we will have hyperinflation," said Richard Scudamore, before the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing.
"We have been here before, haven't we? Chelsea came in and spent money. Manchester City has every right the club's owner has every right to do what other clubs have done unto other clubs since professional football began."
Scudamore added that hyperinflation would be "foolish". He went on: "But if they want to acquire top talent, why should Manchester City be the one club singled out for not being allowed to do what professional football clubs have done for 110 years?"
European football's governing body, Uefa, has suggested it may introduce new regulations over the next two to three years for the Champions' League which ensure that players' salaries and transfer fees are in proportion to a club's income.
Michel Platini, the head of Uefa, severely criticised the transfer spree that saw Real Madrid spend close to £170 million on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema and suggested that inflation was a threat to European football. "Making these lavish signings will fuel a rise in inflation, which will impact negatively on all the clubs across Europe," he said.
However, Scudamore said it was unlikely that the Uefa rules could be applied fairly across the continent. "We are absolutely in favour of clubs living within their means, but we think principally it is impossible to come up with a fair system. State subsidies and tax rates differ and some have to pay for their stadiums while others get theirs provided," he said.
Manchester City have just completed the signing of Kolo Toure from Arsenal for £16 million. The club have made five other major signings, capturing Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, Gareth Barry and Stuart Taylor and have been linked with an £18 million bid for Joleon Lescott.
However, Mark Hughes, the manager, said players were joining the club out of ambition, rather than for the money. "These guys are all wealthy individuals. It's not about money at this level but about ambition, stimulation and giving them something to be really excited about."
He also said City would "walk away" when confronted by silly demands in the transfer market. "We have already walked away from situations where we feel our worth and the value we place on players has been exceeded."
