CLUB vs COUNTRY, THE CONTINUING STRUGGLE January 16, 2004

A while ago I wrote a paragraph on my frustations with the ongoing Club vs. Country row that has caused a lot of uproar between soccer clubs and FIFA. The bitterness has not gone away and in-fact has been in the headlines even more recently.

The issue in question is the struggle between clubs and the national soccer associations for the release of players for national team duty in the middle of the long and hard European season. One of the main points of contention is the African Nations Cup which usually runs in January and February (this years edition is held in Tunisia and runs from January 24 to February 14). Some clubs claim that their losses are unfair if their players are injured on national team duty and can't play for them after returning.

Many clubs try and convince the players to skip such competitions altogether. The argument most often heard is the injustice of losing an employee (the player) but still having to pay their salaries during their absence.

The conflict has risen to a new level with the involvement of the G-14, a consortium formed by the 'big' clubs in Europe. The G-14 that includes such clubs as Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan has clashed with FIFA on many issues including this one. It claims it has come up with a solution to the problem. For example it proposes that national federations pay for the player salaries while they are on national team duty. However they are faced with calls that many poorer federations simply can not afford any such payments - even considering that their incomes can not possibly cover any such payments even after FIFA distributes World Cup profits equally - so it proposes for a percentage of salaries to be paid. A tactic that makes one wonder about G-14's true intentions in this matter, is the issue the exact dollar value or the loss of a player and the risks involved?

It is without a doubt very unfortunate if a player is injured and has to miss games, most unfortunate for the player himself one needs reminding. It is also true that most friendlies, where a player maybe called to participate, are of little use in the short term. But the issue is not confined to the set of friendlies alone but the same demands are heard when a legitimate tournament is involved.

An interesting case is that of Frederic Kanoute of Tottenham, he has actually accepted the invitation to play for Mali in the African Nations Cup, that despite him being one of the more important and successful players of his teams' so far disappointing season. The request was granted after an appeal that also concerned his eligibility to play for Mali at all. Many clubs are set to lose players this month and it is good to see many still show interest in playing for their national teams for a chance at glory in the African Nation Cup

The idea of a coordinated calendar where all leagues worldwide would be running in the same months and the main tournaments played either outside those months or in midseason breaks is a good one. However the idea is not getting the attention that it once received and it is not clear if FIFA secretary general Sepp Blatter is going to continue to press for it as he once did.

It is of the utmost importance to protect the integrity of national teams and thus some leeway is necessary. National coaches and FAs can not be held hostage by the clubs at every turn and must be allowed to develop and use players on crucial occasions.