There’s so much talk in and around the game at the moment about A-League expansion, about the desperate need for a second division, and about promotion and relegation.
This discussion is much needed, and even Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou has weighed into the debate. Hopefully that translates into action at FFA HQ. I’m not holding my breath at this stage, but one can only hope. These are all serious and genuine discussions that the game and its head honchos need to be having right now.
Following on from my last article, an opening up of the financial football market in Australia would really give the game a huge boost, which is exactly what it needs right now.
I can understand why all these restrictions were put in place to begin with, but we’ve passed that stage, and we need natural football evolution in this country, as was always going to happen, to finally take its course.
I agree with Postecoglou’s comments when he practically said that football should be in a growth phase right now, but it seems that it’s consolidating and holding back its own future.
The game needs to capitalise on its huge growth today, not tomorrow, when it might be too late. You need to strike while the iron’s hot, both in business and in sport, otherwise gigantic opportunities may be missed, and the game will pay for those in the long term.
My proposal would be to allow transfer fees between all A-League clubs. This is a no-brainer because it creates a positive cycle for the entire code. Will the bigger clubs become stronger? Possibly, but it gives the smaller clubs two huge incentives they’ve never had before. One is great financial reward for their efforts, which they can use to keep running their clubs, if they really need to, or to invest in players, coaches, facilities et cetera. The other advantage is that it will keep them concentrating on their own academies to keep developing quality young domestic players, which is a win for the players, for the fans, for the entire competition and for the national teams. The Mariners have done this to some extent, but they could’ve made so much more money had the domestic market been open five years ago.
An open market would also create more job security for players, as current clubs would no longer offer just one-year deals, which is ridiculously common in today’s A-League. This gives the league an amateur feel, and it’s also why there are still so many A-League rejects running around for their sixth or seventh club, which makes a mockery of the competition when there are only ten teams.
There are so many quality players in the state NPL competitions who need a chance to prove themselves, and the competition needs fresh names on the back of shirts for kids to look up to.
Clubs would be forced to offer their better players three, four, or five-year deals to hold onto their assets and to maintain bargaining power at the negotiating table should another A-League club come asking for them.
As far as the current fees to NPL clubs go, it’s beyond a farce. Today an A-League club can sign the best NPL player in their state with compensation to the NPL club ranging from $0 to $10,000. This needs to change, and strict rules need to be implemented to guarantee state clubs are duly compensated. This would bring all the tiers of the football pyramid together.
There are many NPL players out there who are just guns for hire, moving clubs every season or two for more pay. You could argue that those clubs and those players deserve very little, but I’m talking about a good player who is wanted by an A-League club and who has come through the junior system of that NPL club or been there for at least five consecutive years,
There should be a ceiling of $100,000 for the best NPL players as compensation. NPL clubs run on the smell of an oily rag and often by volunteers who put their heart and soul into their roles for no financial reward. Up to $100k for these clubs means bigger and better club rooms, better training gear, upgraded lighting, better seating, renovated canteens et cetera. It’s great for them, as their income streams are limited compared to A-League, and many of them have had great junior academies since the 70s and 80s.
Last but not least is that this plan will create the buzz and excitement that builds on the back of an open market.
Speculation, rumours and innuendo will run rife during the A-League off-season and in the January transfer window, which will keep the competition in the public consciousness and keep it in the media when the competition hasn’t yet started. It’s also free advertising for the league without having spending any of its marketing budget – the hype will do the work for them.
A true football economy is much needed, it probably should’ve happened three or four years ago.
What do you think – what would you do?
Nemesis
Guest
Well, it depends on whether the European Law allows them. As I mentioned, the International Players Union (FifPro) has launched legal action against the Transfer System. They want to abolish transfers. So, if this eventuates, it wouldn't matter what Juventus wants. All that matters is what the law allows. In no other job would workers put up with the nonsense of Transfer Fees where they can't quit a job unless the new boss pays 'ransom money' to the old boss. It's absolutely ridiculous and probably a violation of basic Human Rights. We'll see how the European Commission rules, but I can't believe transfer payments will continue much longer. For sure, if the contract hasn't expired, then, like breaking any contract, the innocent party (e.g. Juventus) would be entitled to compensation so they're not out of pocket. I don't know how long Pogba still had on his Juventus contract, but I doubt an independent arbitrator would say the compensation for breaking his contract early would be A$150 million.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
@Nemesis And what would Juventus get out of it. Nothing. They would never agree to it. They would rather let Pogba stay on their books if they get no fee out of it.
Nemesis
Guest
No. No transfer fees. Just a 10% Levy on the annual wage a player earns and this is divided so the club that registered the player between the ages of 13-17 gets 2% for each year he was registered. So, Juventus would get $0 from the Pogba deal. The player would probably get a bigger wage since United don't have to pay any transfer fee and the junior clubs get total 10% of Pogba's wage each year. (2% give to the club he was at age 13, 2% age 14, etc. etc.). Not just this year, but every year he is a professional player.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
So you still want transfer fees but a fairer distribution. Fair enough.
Nemesis
Guest
Which is why I want a Development Levy. It would be far fairer compensation for every club that assisted the player's development. Imagine if the clubs that helped Pogba from ages 13-17 were entitled to 2% of his professional contract wage (2% for the club at ag 13, 2% at age 14, etc). And this Levy would be paid every year during a footballer's professional career - not just once when he transfers. It would be far better than a one off transfer fee when he was 16 yrs old, or nothing when he moved on when he was 16 years old. This would be a steady annual income for amateur and semi-professional clubs that actually develop players.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Juventus would have received all of that transfer money? So what. I am sure they have bought many players in the past and sold them for less as well. That's football. The clubs you mentioned I am sure they receive transfer fees for players at whatever development stage they are at, maybe not to the level of Pogba. If they don't want to participate in the transfer market they don't have to. They can keep the player on their books if they wish. But sometimes the money is too good to refuse and they sell them and they receive good money for those players so that they can buy and develop others at their level.
tully101
Roar Guru
south melbourne could feel hard done by
tully101
Roar Guru
I agree that transfer fees should be instated for NPL to A-leauge. but it is a double edged sword, A-league clubs will be more reluctant to invest in NPL players. there would be less Jai inghams or Andrew Nabbouts.
Nemesis
Guest
I don't follow the transfer market closely. Are smaller clubs making the money, or the big clubs? When Pogba signed for United, how much of the A$150 million went to Juventus and how much to Roissy-en-Brie where he learnt his technical skills aged 6-13? How much to Torcy who helped develop him from 13-14? How much to Le Havre where he was from ages 14-16? I'd be surprised if any of the above teams got a cent from the transfer fee paid to Juventus.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Personally I think that if transfer fees go it will be a bad result, especially for smaller clubs who rely on transfer fees and the selling of players as a genuine source of revenue. You may not agree, but that's what I see happening.
Nemesis
Guest
Here are some ways FifPro could deal with it: 1) limit professional player contracts to 4 years 2) establish a “protected period” where neither club nor player could break the contract within the first two or three years (unless the player was not playing) 3) players can buy out the remainder of the contract and switch clubs once the protected period has elapsed This is reasonable and, given it's the Players' Union, I'd assume the players are keen on this, too
Midfielder
Guest
agree
Bill
Guest
How did Cahill end up at City - is this a head office boost the ailing club in the big city strategy? when are the smaller cities going to get the big guy?? I'll leave Heske as a minnow. They are already running an FFA Cup with the minnows playing at home against out of season A league clubs as midweek Pay Tv fodder so minor players get a chance to shine with all the benefits their way
ManukaMidgets
Guest
.
j binnie
Guest
RBB - What is the topic RBB???.I thought it was the almost never ending discussion on league expansion,and the chance that it will happen soon. I simply pointed out that the FAA themselves have tried to point out that it won't happen for another 4 or 5 years. What do "you" think is the cause for the delay. My reasoning is simple,they don't have people waiting in the wings with the $10 millions needed. You obviously disagree so perhaps you can explain it from a different perspective. Cheers jb.
Pedro
Guest
Yawn here we go again!!!!!
punter
Guest
Every one of your posts is a replica of the previous, you need new material.
Kaks
Roar Guru
I doubt many people who keep saying pro/rel needs to happen 'immediately' are involved in any way, shape or form - or attend any state league/NPL games - to see how far behind almost all of the clubs are in comparison to the A-league clubs. These NPL clubs need a lot of time, support, money and love from those who keep saying pro/rel needs to be implemented immediately yet do nothing to help. I doubt many knew the NPL final was today.
Midfielder
Guest
Cannot agree more on A-League transfers... my Mariners financially would be much better off as would the Roar the other club that has developed many outstanding junior players.
paul
Guest
For all those advocating immediate promotion/relegation, less than 500 spectators at the NPL final between Sydney United and Edgeworth Eagles. Best to expand the A-League to 14 teams over 8-10 years AND expand squad size from 26 to 28 with 2 additional u23 players and expand the A-League bench to 7. With less than 500 spectators at the NPL final today, NPL clubs will stuggle to put bums on seats AND cannot meet the minimum requirements for an A-League club. Until the NPL sides can meet the financial requirements as well the structural requirements of being a Level 1 club, i can see that the issue of promo/relegation will not be on the agenda. i agree that there should be transfer fees for NPL players if they are contracted.