By Andrew Warshaw
December 16 – The French president of the international players union FIFpro says the current transfer system encourages third party ownership which he has described as “a monster”.
Closing a two-day sports law conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the organisation, Philippe Piat told delegates from 68 countries that the spread of TPO was one reason why FIFpro’s complaint to the European Commission over current transfer rules had to succeed.
“It can’t be right for outside interests to hold the left or right leg of a player,” said Piat. “These people act as if players are not men, but commodities.”
Piat said salaries paid to 70% of FIFpro’s members are paid too late or not all and slammed clubs for deliberately refusing to let contracts come to their natural end. “We need minimum requirements for all European nations. In many eastern countries, it’s common practise that contracts are still not respected and players are not allowed to leave. They are still products of a system and we need to fight this.”
It is anticipated that FIFpro’s proposal to the European Commission to get the transfer system overhauled should receive a response by September next year. “If the Commission agree, players will be able to file complaints when their rights are stamped upon,” said Piat.
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