Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights

This paper proves that under current international accounting standards, the most relevant assets of all professional soccer clubs at year-end, “players' transfer fees”, can be measured and disclosed at fair value. Research was based on a triangulation approach. Firstly, a theoretical discussi...

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Main Authors: Francisco Javier Martín-Lozano, Amalia Carrasco-Gallego
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad de Murcia 2024-01-01
Series:Revista de Contabilidad: Spanish Accounting Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.um.es/rcsar/article/view/460481
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author Francisco Javier Martín-Lozano
Amalia Carrasco-Gallego
author_facet Francisco Javier Martín-Lozano
Amalia Carrasco-Gallego
author_sort Francisco Javier Martín-Lozano
collection DOAJ
description This paper proves that under current international accounting standards, the most relevant assets of all professional soccer clubs at year-end, “players' transfer fees”, can be measured and disclosed at fair value. Research was based on a triangulation approach. Firstly, a theoretical discussion regarding the feasibility of Fair Value Accounting as opposed to Historical Cost Accounting as currently applied was carried out. Secondly, an extra-accounting assessment technique occasionally used by clubs was analysed in depth. Thirdly, qualitative research work was undertaken which included surveys and interviews with soccer clubs’ financial auditors. This work shows how unreliable the financial statements’ figures of these intangible assets in soccer clubs are, and consequently points to the lack of transparency generated by applying the inadequate currently accounting valuation. It also demonstrates the need to apply a valid and feasible external valuation technique at fair value complying with IFRS requirements. A new contribution is made using a valuation and disclosure proposal which could avoid current accounting misreporting, thus helping not only the football clubs' stakeholders’ in their decision-making process, but also the UEFA with their "Financial Fair Play"1 regulation which monitors clubs’ finances.
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spelling doaj.art-4dc8e1e4e1cb41758a5bd9dc083257222024-01-08T10:43:36ZengUniversidad de MurciaRevista de Contabilidad: Spanish Accounting Review1138-48911988-46722024-01-0127110.6018/rcsar.460481Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights Francisco Javier Martín-Lozano0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3671-4828Amalia Carrasco-Gallegohttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7890-2464Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla-SPAIN This paper proves that under current international accounting standards, the most relevant assets of all professional soccer clubs at year-end, “players' transfer fees”, can be measured and disclosed at fair value. Research was based on a triangulation approach. Firstly, a theoretical discussion regarding the feasibility of Fair Value Accounting as opposed to Historical Cost Accounting as currently applied was carried out. Secondly, an extra-accounting assessment technique occasionally used by clubs was analysed in depth. Thirdly, qualitative research work was undertaken which included surveys and interviews with soccer clubs’ financial auditors. This work shows how unreliable the financial statements’ figures of these intangible assets in soccer clubs are, and consequently points to the lack of transparency generated by applying the inadequate currently accounting valuation. It also demonstrates the need to apply a valid and feasible external valuation technique at fair value complying with IFRS requirements. A new contribution is made using a valuation and disclosure proposal which could avoid current accounting misreporting, thus helping not only the football clubs' stakeholders’ in their decision-making process, but also the UEFA with their "Financial Fair Play"1 regulation which monitors clubs’ finances. https://revistas.um.es/rcsar/article/view/460481Soccer playersTransfer feesIFRSFair valueInterviewAuditors
spellingShingle Francisco Javier Martín-Lozano
Amalia Carrasco-Gallego
Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights
Revista de Contabilidad: Spanish Accounting Review
Soccer players
Transfer fees
IFRS
Fair value
Interview
Auditors
title Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights
title_full Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights
title_fullStr Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights
title_full_unstemmed Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights
title_short Critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs: Auditors´insights
title_sort critical discussion regarding the valuation of the most relevant assets in soccer clubs auditors´insights
topic Soccer players
Transfer fees
IFRS
Fair value
Interview
Auditors
url https://revistas.um.es/rcsar/article/view/460481
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