SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews joins debate on financial fair play

SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews has given his views on one of the most recently debated topics in South African football, financial fair play. 

Over the last few weeks, some sections of the football fans have suggested that it’s time the PSL introduces financial fair play regulations to help level the playing field.

The debate was first sparked by former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Jabu Mahlangu. 

Mahlangu was of the view that DStv Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns were dominating local football based on the ability to sign any available player on the market. This is due to their financial muscle backed by the Motsepe Family. 

But when asked during the unveiling of their new sponsor, iKhokha, Mathews said although the model is unsustainable, those who can afford to sign should sign. 

STAN MATTHEWS’ VIEWS ON FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY 

“This is a global problem, not a South African problem,” Matthews told reporters.

“This is a global phenomenon where a club with money has the capacity like Manchester City like Chelsea in world football.

“The Real Madrids, the Bayern Munich. They have the money so they are always going to get the best players. So you can’t complain about it, it is what it is.

“By trying to influence the market artificially is difficult. But at the same time the value proposition right now needs to make sense.

“So you ask yourself, there is R15 million prize money for winning the league. How does it make sense to be spending R20, 30, 40 million rands on one player?” asked Matthews. 

MONEY SPALISHING NOT SUSTAINABLE 

“It’s not sustainable for any kind of normal football club. So if other clubs want to follow that model and spend beyond that, we are going to have bad end results in South African football. We are going to see clubs stumbling and going into administration and folding.

“I am saying we already have casualties in the PSL, we have casualties already. A club like Bidvest Wits is not with us anymore, Bloemfontein Celtic is not with us. We also need to be responsible for football,” he added. 

“The holistic industry to make sure that clubs can sustain themselves and be around in 10, 15 or 20 years time.

“Not try to keep up with artificial spending; on the one hand is a free market and if they have the capacity in any club to give themselves 20 to 30 nice players, good luck.”

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