On the 15th December 1995 Jean-Marc Bosman changed the face of football for the worse. The Belgian footballer fought for and eventually won the right to move from one club to another for nothing once their contracts had expired. Labelled the ‘Bosman Ruling’ it effectively shifted the power that football clubs once held over players putting them in the driving seat when it came to transfer dealings and contract negotiations. Player power has grown exponentially over the last 15 years and is continuing on a rapid incline towards an absurd level. But will this increase ruin the game we all know and love?
Looking at the transfer window that has just passed there were a number of cases that caught the eye and gave weight to the notion that player power is actually ruining the game. A couple of examples spring to mind with Samir Nasri, Jose Enrique and Charles N’Zogbia the obvious ones that come to the fore. Last season Wayne Rooney demanded to leave his club, leveraging his position to see his demands for a salary increase granted by Manchester United to prevent him from leaving Old Trafford. Quite frankly it’s disgusting that players now have the mind-set that they are bigger than the club, the owner and the fans. What makes them think they can bully the club into a corner and demand more money or dictate what they will do after their contract has expired?
The Rooney fiasco really did make my blood boil considering he is already paid handsomely by the club, is worshipped by those in the stands and is the poster boy of English football that many a young child look up to in awe of his footballing ability. If only they knew the truth about how greedy and conniving footballers are becoming. Rooney knew Man Utd would do everything in their power to keep him at the club and used that to grind them into submission. How can he accuse the most successful side in English football of lacking ambition? It was a paper-thin ruse that didn’t fool fans or the media alike. But it worked and he eventually got his pay rise because Man Utd were simply too afraid that they would lose him to a rival team.
Why shouldn’t a player leave on a free when he’s out of contract, it’s just a job like any other?!
Modern players play for themselves not the fans I am used to it.Its no longer a team game.They see it as a job/career and try to earn as much money as possible so they dont need to work beyond 35!
I was told this by an ex player.
Bossman ruling has brought far better things in Football than other way round. Yes, the player power has increased, but that’s only the other side of the coin; previously the players were sort of a slave. The rule is simple, after my contract expires, I must be allowed to choose my employer, be it in corporate or club. I don’t think player’s salary is the main reason for the ticket price hike. Apart from inflation, higher security concerns by governing body have pushed clubs to reduce the no. of seats & the economic growth has increased the purchasing power of the upper middle class. Clubs do know that with a 10% year or year price hike, still they can get 99% house for the top 20% of the society.
It’s more of the spoiled money that has made the transfer crazy. In 70s some idiot Yanks wanted to make a soccer circus & there came the NY Cosmos. In 90s onwards, it’s always been the corrupt money, which has spoiled the game. The Italian Mafia, The Spanish Politicians, The Middle-east Sheiks & finally the “Free” Russians. Several times, Milanese giants, Juventus, Real, Chelsea, ManU, ManCity had been involved or charged in tap-ins to match fixings? If crazy people can spend 50+mn on Kaka or Ibrahamovic, to replace Schnider or Eto’, what the players can do but exploiting? Moral-less, shameless & arrogant billionaires are spitting money to purchase success & few top players are pawning them (Eto’ at 31 is contracted at 350K/week for 3/4 years & is it his fault to leave Inter? Same goes for Torres). Just wait to see how b*****s like Abrahamovic, Mansoor, Perez, Laporte, Moratti, Baluscini, Karimov & few others f**k the “Financial Fair play” ruling.
I think, the Bossman ruling is a blessing for average players & mid to low level clubs. Because of Bossman ruling, a lot good, but not outstanding non EU players are earning decent money & more importantly, had there not been Bossman rulings, even average players from few countries (I put England, Spain & Italy at top of this list) would have charged vulgar amount whereas top players (But not outstanding) from Africa or Latin America would have struggled to find clubs to earn decent money. The quality of European football has gone higher significantly, with this open market policy. Since Bossman verdict, 7 of the 8 WC finalists are European, teams with lot of African & Latin players in their domestic league have done better & I think for the first time, top 4 FIFA ranked teams are European. & it has kept the Latin & African Football going as well, otherwise, in those 2 continents, clubs from outside of Brazil, Mexico & may be Colombia would have struggled to survive.
The moral of modern players has gone down significantly. Bossman ruling is allowing them to ransom clubs on last year of contract, but even without Bossman, Rooney would have done the same, may be some other way. & with or without Bossman, there ‘ll always be fools!! like Steve G, Carragher, Giggs, Scholes, Shearer.
Well said M.
I would add that I admire Spurs stance on Modric. To move a player on requires 2 interested parties and in this case Spurs were not willing to do business at any price. It shows that player power/agent power can be countered.
Nice column.But the idea of tagging the best of all in english football aint right.check the list-Gerrard,carragher,giggs,scholes and shearer.Going by their achievements,are these dudes not worthy to emulate.They are what i call ‘english football idols’.They are the brain behind the success of their respective clubs.They love the,not the money.Or am i getting it all wrong?