In a scathing critique, Gary Neville has once again taken aim at the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, describing the recent summer transfer window as ‘bizarre.’ Newcastle United was forced to adhere to these regulations, leading them to part ways with two promising young players, Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, to avoid facing a points deduction. The club raked in a total of £68m from their sales to Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
One of the peculiar aspects of the PSR allowed clubs to classify earnings from academy products as pure profit, enabling Newcastle to sidestep a penalty by pocketing £35m from Anderson’s departure. However, the Magpies weren’t the only ones affected, as Chelsea also witnessed several of their academy talents leaving to finance new signings.
Neville strongly believes that the limitations imposed by the PSR hinder Newcastle from utilizing their resources and challenging the top clubs in the league. He voiced his concerns on Sky Sports, asserting that the rules ought to undergo significant modifications to enable clubs like Newcastle to compete on an equal footing with powerhouses like Manchester City.
The former player emphasized the need for a shift in the PSR framework to permit owner investment and propel Newcastle towards the elite echelon of English football. Acknowledging the importance of financial stability, Neville stressed the necessity of allowing clubs to access funding while ensuring long-term sustainability. In his view, obstructing Newcastle’s progress by restricting their financial freedom is a counterproductive approach that needs to be addressed promptly.
