FFP hits the mark, Atletico-Hearts of 86

It remains a possibility that Atletico Madrid will lose today’s league decider against Barcelona and next week’s Champions League final against Real Madrid (vernacular: ‘do a Hearts), but I hope not.  The fact that they have pushed the two most celebrated football clubs on the planet to the limit, across two tournaments, is already remarkable.  Should they deliver on two fronts, it will be the most stunning achievement in European football in 47 years.

There was a healthy amount of bloodlust for the Uefa Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules to fine the life out of the likes of Manchester City and Paris St Germain, before banning them from Uefa competition.  This was never the point.

What Uefa have done is bring Europe’s two most freely spending clubs into line.  FFP will restrict City and PSG’s expenditure, transfer market activity and squad selection.  This is a result.

It’s a pity we’re not at Celtic Park to lift the Scottish Cup today.  *!*!

Enormous thanks to Tommy Gemmell and everyone who participated in the entertainment here yesterday.  Tommy thoroughly enjoyed the banter and will be back on the blog below this article early this afternoon to catch up with the questions he didn’t have time for yesterday.

You can buy a signed copy of his new autobiography, which he can add a personalised message to, by ordering below: