Extra Time: Michael Madyira writes that Fifa’s financial fair play model is a bad idea for the PSL and the Soweto giants need to invest heavily in the transfer market.
Mamelodi Sundowns have always flexed their financial muscles in the player transfer market.
They spend big, competing against European clubs for players, and come out on top, as in the case of Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who was a wanted man in France and the Netherlands, but was priced away by Sundowns from Belgian side SK Beveren.
According to Transfermarkt, their squad is worth about R6-billion and is way ahead of their traditional rivals Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, whose squads are valued at R1-billion and R2.5-billion respectively.
Sometimes, it looks like Downs are showing off, but fundamentally their strategy makes business sense and brings results.
Although having lots of cash does not always deliver results for Chloorkop – as shown by their struggle to win the CAF Champions League – it has helped Masandawana enjoy unparalleled success in the PSL.
This has sparked debate about whether the PSL should introduce the Fifa financial fair play model.
That would mean restricting Sundowns’ spending to prevent them from having an unfair advantage over their domestic rivals.
By thoroughly scrutinising the financial fair play being implemented in the PSL, Sundowns would be forced to cut their transfer budget drastically, and that would tie their hands in the market.
That might be unfair to the Brazilians because their big spending doesn’t mean their traditional foes, Chiefs and Pirates, cannot do the same.
It would be like punishing Sundowns for the flaws of their rivals.
Why can’t Chiefs and Pirates invest heavily in the transfer market, where they always go for cheap players or bargains?
It’s not that they lack money. The Soweto giants should be more ambitious and splash some cash to get the best players available and try to catch up with Masandawana.
It would be interesting and make the PSL transfer window more exciting to see Amakhosi, the Buccaneers and Sundowns competing to sign the most expensive players in the market.
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates winger Monnapule Saleng vies for possession against Kaizer Chiefs left-back Sifiso Hlanti.
Source: Orlando Pirates
