build through the academy

By: j | January 21st, 2009

With the shenanigans of PSG capturing the media’s attention, opinions vary on who to support in the matter. While the now former PSG President Charles Villeneuve is credited with the clubs rebound from the last years foul performance and many clamour for the heads of the club who ousted them, they fail to understand the financial realities of the situation.

Sébastien Bazin, CEO for Colony Capital SAS which owns 62.5% of the club has been adamant that club maintain control in its financial management. With the club accumulating losses of over €200m in the previous seven years, this is not a trivial matter and supporters need to understand that if this is not handled properly, PSG will be heading down the sad road of RCF and let me tell you my friends, that is something no one wants to see. Monsieur Villeneuve’s intent to restore PSG to the top was certainly one that we can all appreciate but if it arrives on the winds of financial blood-letting, it must be stopped.

Both Ludovic Giuly and Claude Makélélé have expressed their support of Charles Villeneuve through the Ligue de Football Professionnel.

Ludovic Giuly said of the affair:

“I don’t think it will have any negative impact on the team, even if I find this whole situation unnecessary, and that it hasn’t occurred at the best of times.

“Personally, I’ll respect the decisions made, and it will change nothing in terms of my commitment during the two-and-a-half years of my contract left to run. But to force Villeneuve to leave would – in my eyes – be a mistake.

“PSG have got themselves back into the top-half of the table, and I think (Villeneuve’s) desire to compete for the title next season is realistic. He has done some good work, and is simply asking for the means to do something great at PSG. It’s normal, and he’s right, and I am – more than an ever – pro-Villeneuve.”

Claude Makélélé was certainly less diplomatic and sounded angered stating:
“Those in charge owe everyone employed by the club an explanation, especially the players. It is the least they can do.”

When asked of whether this would influence his future with PSG, he said:

“That’s just media talk. If anything changes, I will let everyone know. What is for sure is that it is a difficult time and for now I am not privy to all the information as to what is going on.”

While repetitious, PSG needs to show financial constraint and given ownerships directives were not met there was little that can done. As we enter a new financial world, the Footballing community needs to sit long and hard about establishing appropriate financial controls, lest clubs that are institutions in their community will fail. If that means that that PSG must be more frugal in signing high profile players then so be it as I stand firmly behind the youthful talent that the clubs academy builds.