The poisoned chalice that is the player drain

 

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By Adrian Musolino, 19 Sep 2009 Adrian Musolino is a Roar Expert

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 A-League, Asian Football Confederation, Danny Allsopp, FFA, football, Lucas Neill, Socceroos

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Uruguay goalkeeper Fabian Carini, second from left, is airborne as he takes the ball away from Australia's Danny Allsopp during their soccer international in Sydney, Saturday, June 2, 2007. Uruguay won 2-1. AP Photo/Mark Baker

As Danny Allsopp counts his cash in the Arabian desert, the Australian football community is left to ponder the impact the cashed up Middle East will have on its ability to sustain and attract star players.

Combined with the Asian Football Confederation’s “3+1″ rule, the increased spending of Middle Eastern investors in their local leagues, as opposed to their exploits in foreign leagues, puts the spotlight firmly on the player drain.

The fact of the matter is even if the FFA completely abolishes the salary cap, there is no way A-League clubs can compete with the riches on offer in the Middle East.

Adam Griffiths is being paid $1.2 million a season by Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab and Allsopp will net approximately $1million a year from Qatari side Al-Rayyan Sports Club.

Considering Allsopp and Griffiths aren’t exactly the best the A-League could offer, and as the Middle East continues its investment in its local competitions, the situation will only worsen.

Footballers know their careers have a use by date and we shouldn’t denigrate them for their decision to cash in on the riches available elsewhere.

But loyalty counts for a lot in Australian sport and consistently losing players won’t help franchises that are still trying to build community support.

The cult of personality can make a franchise and the fact is Australian sports fans are relatively unaccustomed to such poaching.

It also only fosters the negative perceptions of a ‘weak’ A-League from doubters who underestimate the scope of the world game.

The other side of the argument is that the interest shown in foreign leagues is a sign of the growing technical standard of the A-League.

I’m not so sure of this argument.

There is no denying the talent of the likes of Griffiths and Allsopp, but the A-League is increasingly a target because it can’t compete with the economics of other leagues.

Also, the argument that Aussie players will benefit from such international experience doesn’t necessarily apply in this case. As opposed to the benefit of Aussie players leaving for Europe, the technical standard of the Middle East isn’t comparable.

Lets just hope the players attracted to the Middle East are those that aren’t necessarily in contention for Socceroos spots but rather erstwhile options.

However, the proponents of the positive elements of the player drain are correct in saying that it gives youngsters their chance at A-League stardom.

A case in point is Robbie Kruse; ten years younger than Allsopp who gets his chance to make his mark with the Victory following an acrimonious end to his time at the Roar.

Comparing the current generation of players emerging from the NYL or state leagues to those who were forced to make the backward step into state leagues when the NSL collapsed, at least the former are getting their chance to develop in a competitive league at a younger age.

Whether the increased interest of foreign leagues is good or bad for the A-League is debatable.

But whether we like it or not it’s inevitable that players will leave.

As is being shown by Socceroos captain Lucas Neill, money talks very loudly in football.