UEFA boss issues warning to 'big clubs'

Speaking at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, Michel Platini stressed that he was determined to ensure ‘Financial Fair Play’ across the board.

Under UEFA's new rules, clubs will face possible bans from European competition from the 2014/15 season if they spend more than they earn in the three years before.

At the moment, 11 European teams fall foul of the regulations, and Platini warned that action would be taken regardless of a club's stature.

"If a club doesn't fall in line and follow the same rules as everyone else, then it will be time to face the music. Certainly it is not something we want to see."

"Our objective is not to put clubs into financial difficulty. Financial fair play is to help them escape from this devilish spiral and have a viable economic strategy in the long term. I will leave no stone unturned to do this. This is not a witch-hunt, this is so they no longer continue blindly and mindlessly," the UEFA President said.

During a briefing for the medi, UEFA’s secretary-general Gianni Infantino used Arsenal as an example of a “well-run club” explaining how the club boosted its income without ever overspending.

Infantino explained how ten years ago, Arsenal reported less income than Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle. “Now it’s income amounts to more than all three, and in 2009 it earned  double Newcastle's income.”

"This shows what is possible with good management and careful investment. What kind of healthy business model is it to wait for a knight rider on a horse with a lot of money to throw around and then one day jump back on his horse and ride away?"

Manchester City, who recently posted GBP121 million in losses, have already sent officials to meet UEFA about complying with the financial rules.

Platini explained that he met with Manchester City’s owner in Abu Dhabi last year, and was promised that the club would live with the rules and regulations set by UEFA.