Comments on: G14 Wants Even More Money Please

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:51:14 +0000

Daryl, that’s a really good suggestion about an insurance fund. So sensible does it sound, that I’m afraid it has absolutely no chance of being agreed to by FIFA, UEFA and the G-14 (or 18, or 77, or whatever they’ll soon be).

Instead, they’ll all bicker behind closed doors and we’ll never really know what’s going on.

By: Inara

Inara — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:23:35 +0000

I’m kind of embarrassed because the main reason player compensation became such a big issue recently is because three years back, Eric Abidal came back from the France NT with an injury, and that ruled him out for several months with Lyon. Aulas then filed a suit for compensation and asked the G14 to get involved, who also took up the case of Charleroi (less high profile but similar situation).

I don’t think the clubs should get compensation because they want their players selected for international duty. Just look at how clubs react when their players aren’t selected? Club managers start getting upset, etc. And international performances always increase value to a player. Like take Ribery for example. No way Marseille would have gotten 25m for him otherwise.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:50:26 +0000

I agree Jan. I think it should be the other way around. If Drogba is hurt and cannot play in the ACN, then Chelsea should compensate Ivory Coast for the loss of such an important player for such a crucial event. If it works one way, how does it not work both ways? It’s not like an FA has no part to play in a player’s development. Drogba is Ivorian; Chelsea is just paying him for his services.

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:36:42 +0000

I like the idea with the insurance fund.

BTW: what about national teams receiving compensation for players who pick up injuries on club level or join a World Cup/Euro/etc. completely exhausted – end up playing like shit?

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:50:11 +0000

Otherwise we’re going to end up with a situation where national teams are scared to field the big name players

Without sounding like too much of a conspiracy nut, I wonder if that isn’t what the G14 really want – for international football to become more like the old Olympic teams with no professionals, just young amateurs. That way, they’d not only safeguard their investment in big name players, but also get less competition in terms of jersey sales, TV, etc, because let’s face it – who is going to pay to watch or wear the shirt of some college student striker no one’s ever heard of?