An independent European clearing house to be set up for player transfers with salary caps to be administered by European and national sports governing bodies were a couple of conclusions from an EU-UEFA review of European football.
The world of political committees is littered with reports that never see recommendations implemented through lack of time, political will or heavy lobbying or a combination of all these. The fact that key conclusions such as the salary cap don’t have specifics attached such as how it will work and be monitored, and there is no definition of ‘homegrown players’ , implies it will take a longer than UEFA thinks. Lars-Christer Olsson UEFA chief executive said at first glance a lot of the report could be implemented quickly.
It will be interesting to see where all this goes. It is an ambitious document that wants action at an EU institution, governmental and Euro and national body level. The European Court of Justice decision on the Charleroi case between UEFA and the G14, who want compensation for players who play internationals and players injured on international duty may prove significant.
UEFA have offered a kind of compensation in insurance packages for players in the European Championships. Whatever happens affects Arsenal and Arsenal players considerably with around 14 players involved in the World Cup. Arsenal’s season was disrupted through injuries to Cole, Hleb and Clichy on international duty.
Initial reading of the report would mean a reduction of the current Chelsea squad if a wage cap is based on a percentage of turnover (if as expected it is to be around 60%). The text clearly outlines that it is clubs like Chelsea it aims to curb. Chelsea also may get caught between the power-blocks of UEFA and the G14. Arsenal’s turnover should rise much more than the increase in wages next season and was already around the 60% mark. The authors are keen on a payroll tax for those who overspend and say the basis of an administrative system to execute it is in place with the licensing system.
The fact that ‘homegrown players’ isn’t specified – and that Olsson praised Arsenal’s policy of developing youth, no matter where they come from, augers well. although the definition will prove critical.
The report says: “an effective system for encouraging local education of players, based on the obligation for all clubs to have a certain number of homegrown players in their squads coupled with a squad size limitation, to be permitted.” Key section is 3.73 which basically says the stipulation of nationality (like the 5, 6 rule) is contrary to EU law, but the concept of ‘locally trained’ coupled with squad restrictions in not. It implies, from reading the semi-legalese text, that Arsenal’s policy of buying the best youngsters in Europe, and training them in their academy would pass the locally trained test.
Olsson said: “We want clubs to produce more players, and curb this buying hysteria. Arsenal are a good example in this respect. Although those players can be from anywhere in the world, we think the result will eventually be greater recruitment of players eligible to play for that country’s national team.”
Key recommendations include:
* EU and UEFA to agree a formal structure, with UEFA being granted offical recognition as the governing body for European football.
* EU to set up a “European Sports Agency” to oversee all sports institutions and bodies within the 25-member bloc.
* New EU regulations for players’ agents to provide better transparency. It should include harmonised standards for agents contracts and the introduction of an agents’ licensing system.
* An independent European clearing house to be set up for player transfers.
* All clubs to have a certain number of “home-grown” players in their squads coupled with a squad size limitation. The number of home-grown players or a definition of home-grown was not in the report.
* A higher proportion of money from the Champions League to be put aside by UEFA for grassroots football.
* Setting up a European code of corporate governance for clubs.
* The need to ensure the independence of clubs and combat multi-ownership.
* Putting the player release rule for international matches on a firmer legal footing. This FIFA rule says clubs have to release their players for national team duty without entitlement to compensation.
* UEFA to introduce a collective insurance package for players injured during the European Championship.
“Sports in general and football in particular are not in good health. Only the direct involvement of political leaders, working together with the football authorities, can put it back on the road to recovery,” Jose Luis Arnaut, author of the 165-page report said.
UK Sports minister, Richard Caborn said: “we have to remove excesses and create good quality competition”.
In other news, Sol Campbell told reporters at England’s World Cup training camp that he’ll decide on his Arsenal future after the World Cup.
Also Ashley Cole hinted he may well stay with Arsenal.