Focus on financial fair play

Dubai: Uefa's financial fair play concept will be one of the main topics up for discussion at the opening session of the sixth Dubai International Sports Conference to be held on December 28 and 29.

Titled Football Companies…Current and Future Trends, the sixth edition of this popular sports forum has already lined up an attractive field of speakers with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo among the latest to confirm his attendance at the event, which is held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).

The discussion panel for the inaugural session will be led by Gianni Infantino, Uefa General Secretary, along with other top officials, including FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell, Ronaldo and England manager Fabio Capello.

Economic scene

Switzerland's Infantino is all set to discuss the fast-changing economic scene all over the world, but especially in Europe, which has necessitated stringent action from authorities.

Nearly two years ago, Uefa's Executive Committee unanimously approved a financial fair play concept for the well-being of the sport. The concept received immediate approval from the entire football fraternity, who see this as an opportune moment to introduce more discipline and rationality into club football's finances — particularly in terms of spending on salaries and transfer fees.

"As one of the most respected names in European football, Mr Infantino will bring in something very valuable during the opening session of the conference," said Mohammad Al Kamali, Member of the DSC Executive Office and Chairman of the Professionalism and Development Committee.