Call for ethics in soccer contract stability
Rules on player's termination of contract with club are focus of conference
Dubai: The Fifa regulations on a player's termination of contract with his/her club without just cause and the importance of contractual stability in professional football were in focus at a debate here.
Legendary footballer Luis Figo, along with heads of clubs and players' agents discussed Federation Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) regulations on the status and transfer of players at the conference at the Dubai International Sports Conference organised by Dubai Sports Council.
Mario Gallavotti, the legal counsel to Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and legal committee member of the Fifa Dispute Resolution Chamber chaired the discussion.
Article 17 of Fifa regulations deals with the issue of the consequences of terminating a contract without just cause between a football player and a football club. In particular it seeks to set out the framework within which the compensation a player must pay if he or she breaches the contract will be calculated.
Two famous cases which came under the purview of Article 17 were presented for debate.
Andrew Webster terminated his contract with Edinburgh club Hearts and moved to English Premiership club Wigan Athletic before the protected period while Brazilian footballer Matuzalem Francelino da Silva terminated his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Figo, based on his experience in representing Inter Milan Club as an administrator and as a former player said: "Rules must be respected and followed. Players have the responsibility to abide by the contract they signed but at the same time clubs should make sure the players feel good playing for them."
According to Figo, the case of Da Silva is an instance where he was not happy with the club.
"Under these circumstances players should be allowed to move on. I feel that any player who feels happy playing for the club will not decide to leave the club before the contractual period."
Gregor Reiter, a players' agent from Germany pointed out that "contractual stability is an economical problem and can happen in a free market".
However, Fernando Gomes of FC Porto feels that "integrity of contract must be adhered to at all cost". Daniel Parade, Director of AS Roma Club, too feels that "a player who signs a contract must respect it". He also pointed out that in the interest of fair play, Article 17 is not good. "It is becoming a negotiating agent and can be very dangerous."
Omar Onagario of Fifa reminded the audience that any club which might take a player from another club before the end of his contract can be at the receiving end in another instance."
Claudi Garzelli of Italy stressed on the importance of education of managers and all those involved in order to avoid such conflicts.
Gallavotti concluded the debate recalling that Fifa has created a new slogan which is ‘Respect'. "It is all about respect of financial fair play, respect for rules and respect for contracts."
