Mr Popodopolous

I am to some extent although they were quite an attack minded, possession first side in the last Euros for the most part, pretty different to a lot of past Italian sides.

Was at a loose end so watched the play-off back in June. Ukraine were so very dominant, a better side than Wales without doubt IMO. That's before we even get onto the context of the terrible stuff going on over there- and though it's only a game Croatia was still in the tail end of war in the late 1990s and it probably drive them on in qualifying for and at major tournaments. Adversity at home can do that to a side.

What about the Everton stuff? Two different governing bodies yes but same and in theory harmonised regs across both Leagues/divisions. Any leverage for us or others at this level, to use Everton as a precedent? My overall guess is 'Probably not' but then again...

I fear it may have yes. All the same it's dubious the Aston Villa stuff.

Agreed but it is a nice convenient thing for a club relegated to big bath it into the year of relegation. Not uncommon and Intangibles cannot be revalued upwards unless they specifically have that policy. I suppose impairment can be reversed but that's quite rare. Agreed. Although the Aston Villa impairment of Tangible Assets on relegation and how it came to be sold at a good profit is still quite dodgy, FFP wise at minimum. That is a fairly unusual case though and we are going back years now. Yeah agreed that largely speaking impairment of Intangibles is normal although the EFL bit seemed to specify some criteria. Agreement that Covid add-backs the big thing and what should or shouldn't count the debating point.

Pre tax losses- Everton FC 2018-19..£111.845m 2019-20 and 2020-21..£260.7m (rounded)- halved for Covid that'd be £130.35m. 2021-22..£72m (subject to the estimates of the Esk). This is prior to FFP and Covid deductions but the challenge is to legitimately get this down to £105m!! Pre tax losses once rounded etc, before all of this, £314.195m. Would be rather perverse if the Football League started charging clubs for much lesser add-backs and or breaches. (Everton claimed £170m across the 2 Covid years- potentially rising to £220m). The quantifiable losses were about £81-82m iirc. The rest they were arguing for in impairment, lost player sales and cost savings of these etc- speculative basically. They outlined some of the other items but not all. Covid claims and add-backs- Everton FC

Talking of Everton, sounds like the PL have let them off big time if the Esk is right. Given that P&S is across both divisions, does Everton seemingly getting off the hook set a precedent for the rest?

This is fair, am seeking to cover all possibilities, bases and angles however. No accusations to any clubs at this point in time. Yes Derby were clearly trying it on and non compliant with FRS 102. The way in which they amortised and am expectation that they would always sell by Year 3 at the latest. We, Stoke and everyone else are straight line but my slight concern has come from the idea about expectation of sale, the possible common thread there. Wondering if that LAP paragraph could set a precedent, probably not. Impairment fine as a concept (though strictly speaking there maybe criteria but we've seen many clubs disregard these and just use it to make upcoming FFP easier). Whenever a club relegated from the PL for example. It's subjective I guess but can be abused- see Aston Villa in 2015-16...To 2018-19. 1) Villa Park impaired along with some other Tangible assets and Intangible assets. 2) Absolutely fine but based on a strict definition of Impairment, subsequent actions perhaps should not have been. 3) Villa Park and perhaps some others seemed to be reclassified as an Investment Property post relegation. This was at Fair Value which was commensurate with the Impairment of 2015-16. 4) Sometime in 2018 probably, it seemed to be reclassified back to Tangible Assets and presumably revalued upwards. 5) Even if we accept that the £56.7m valuation was fair, was not the Carrying Value too low- based on the 2015-16 write-down it was sold roughly in 2018-19 for its probable Carrying Value pre Impairment. Dodgy as hell. Back to more routine. Based on that, I wouldn't haul up Stoke or anyone for the mere act of impairment therefore but whether such items should be excluded from costs due to Covid well I dunno. This is true we don't know for sure. Not talking about us specifically but ones where we have seen it listed include Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Stoke. Some more transparently than others.

Goal for Diedhiou!!

I find this snippet of the Derby v EFL appeal last Spring ie 2021 quite interesting in relation to transfer add-backs. Paragraph 76 seems to fly in the face of permitting potential transfer add-backs. "No right to sell a player's registration, merely an expectation contingent on..." The IDC 1 back in 2020 seemed to favour this treatment or Derby's argunent. The LAP however, it cut little ice for them disregarding as it did 'Appeal to common sense' 'Specifics of the Football transfer market' etc. The question is therefore, are internal add-backs bound by FRS 102? I believe that under FRS 102 transfer add-backs well pretty dodgy ground for any clubs who did that but FRS 102 if it isn't applicable to internal P&S add-backs then it isn't a relevant consideration here. I believe it's up for debate. Not decided or settled one way or the other.

Just a thought too. On one level I get the idea of giving everyone a 'Pass' owing to Covid and the transition between the old and new system across 2021-22 and 2022-23...but good Governance dictates that probably shouldn't happen. FFP objectives dictate that it probably shouldn't happen too- the objectives were iirc: 1) To punish those who infringe. 2) To maintain/restore confidence in the League etc. 3) To make sure that those who legitimately complied don't get penalised for doing so. There may have been a fourth too. Wasn't worded this way of course but good Governance IMO dictates that where questions exist for periods ending 2021-22 (not us) and 2022-23 (potentially could be us and others) the EFL pursue the issue. Am sure btw, that some of the IDCs and sanctioning sections are along these lines. I recall reading it but unsure which case!

Bristol City accounts submitted to CH. ie the Club specific ones. Should be available in the next couple of days. (Bristol City Football Club Limited). Same with Bristol City Holdings though we already know the answer with this so it'll just be the same as on the website probably.

Savage quotes in full. Pre-game.

Wales fans applauded Iran team according to 5Live which is a nice touch.

Iran v USA final game could be fun. Yes I know we will all be watching us v Wales but that is interesting on and off the pitch- the two countries hate each other or have done. Could be a 2nd place decider assuming we win tonight.

Is that 2-0? Only have benefit of radio but sounds like Iran have gone at it 2nd half, Hennessey red tipped the balance further.

Wales going home??

Wonder why he needed a second look, very easy red card decision that.

Both CL experienced- Bayer Leverkusen and Porto I believe. We were very good vs Iran without doubt. I also think they (Iran) have improved certainly since 1st half vs us. However we were very good and controlled.

Definitely a key factor but fairly sure that less penalties (ratio per game) being awarded in the Championship than 2 or 3 seasons back too- and VAR wasn't a factor, isn't a factor in our division at all.

An glad you posted the stat. Was about to have a look... Disregarding us, I would say... 1) The PL and Championship have less penalties than this tournament- so far per game 8/16 is 0.5. Championship is certainly lower I believe. 2) Lower again this season, possibly due to the physicality directives that were mentioned back in the summer ie more contact. 3) VAR- possibly makes a penalty more likely to be awarded? 4) All of the above means a lower threshold to award a penalty than over here and especially in the Championship.

Agreed. Might also add though it's variable, sides can be so well organised and coached these days, even the lesser sides and the ability from a defensive side can negate individual brilliance. Such analysis, time spent on negating an opposing star player or 2.

Brazil are Brazil of course but always had Serbia dowm as underachieving at major tournaments. To an extent Yugoslavia too but definitely Serbia. Always seem to qualify quite impressively when they qualify, be it Serbia or Serbia and Montenegro but often don't take that into the World Cup itself.

I see we appear on the POF (Price of Football) Podcast today. Not listened to it yet, probably will do so later or tomorrow.

Indeed.