Fancy that!

"What the Barcelona experience tells us is that the mutual model [of football club ownership], when combined with top-class business practice, through a partnership with club supporters, can offer a sustainable alternative to the private ownership model." Evening Standard, April 9, 2010.

"Barcelona president Sandro Rosell has revealed the extent of the financial worries at Barcelona, admitting the players' wages for last month have not been paid." Evening Standard, July 7, 2010.

How football transactions work...

"ASTON VILLA are expected to lead an Andrey Arshavin backlash at a Premier League meeting today. Several clubs, including Villa, want to know why the Eur16.9m deal for the Russian playmaker was allowed to go through - a full 24 hours after the transfer window closed." The Sun, February 5, 2009.

"ASTON VILLA were given dispensation to complete a £5million deal for Richard Dunne last night as negotiations over his departure from Manchester City rumbled on past the 5pm deadline." Daily Mail, September 2, 2009.