There’s a lot going in the football world this week: perhaps a sign of the times that much of it is taking place in courts (and we’re not talking about an ailing furniture store). So RTG thought today we would provide some highlights for you to mull over.
One highlight, by the way, is we’ve just had our email read out on Sky Sports News in response to a poll that they ran saying that 80% of respondents thought that Beckham totally deserved to be included in Capello’s first England squad. We’re not going to bang on about it again, but it looks likely that Capello has put England’s interests first and not those of a media celebrity. Well done Fabio. Long may it continue. A place in the international team should be a cherished highlight of a player’s career, not a photo op for Vogue or OK magazine. Let Beckham fight for his 100th cap by playing at the right quality level and playing consistently well.
A ruling made yesterday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland throws the transfer system into yet more contention and confusion. The ruling provides for a formula that allows players to breach their contracts after a certain period and pay his club compensation based on the value of his remaining wages within that contract. The case arose from the transfer of Andy Webster from Hearts to Wigan where he unilaterally decided the move. Whilst details are sketchy at this point, most commentators have interpreted this as first, more power to the players and second, a drastic reduction in transfer fees. For example, it is believed that under the new formula, Fabregas or Ronaldo (arguably the two best young players in the world currently) could be transferred for as little as £12 million without the consent of their clubs under their present contracts. As a side issue, CAS also criticised FIFA for its handling of the case - no surprises there. Expect many more lawyers to earn a lot more money following this ruling.
Speaking of FIFA, in yet another court case in Switzerland, it is expected that the mystery individual who paid £1.2M to FIFA’s TV rights broker, ISL, will be revealed today. FIFA initiated proceedings claiming that it had not received its £29.6M share of the rights sale from ISL. But, investigating magistrate, Thomas Hildebrand, suspects that the original deal was oiled by backhanders (again surprise surprise), and that only revealing the identity of the mystery donator will prevent long-term prison sentences for those involved. Watch this space.
In an interesting development this morning, during a post-match interview with Steve Coppell, the Big Four have suddenly become the Elite Three! Which we can only imagine is bad news for Liverpool after losing 1-0 to West Ham last night. On a more positive note for Liverpool, there is talk of a £500 Million supporters bid for the club based on the Barcelona model. Needless to say, RTG thoroughly endorses their efforts and hope that it proves both a resounding success and a blueprint for the future of other clubs.
RTG is priding itself on its first exclusive. We have the first photograph of Keegan meeting with Dennis Wise. Scroll down for this ‘exclusive’.
One highlight, by the way, is we’ve just had our email read out on Sky Sports News in response to a poll that they ran saying that 80% of respondents thought that Beckham totally deserved to be included in Capello’s first England squad. We’re not going to bang on about it again, but it looks likely that Capello has put England’s interests first and not those of a media celebrity. Well done Fabio. Long may it continue. A place in the international team should be a cherished highlight of a player’s career, not a photo op for Vogue or OK magazine. Let Beckham fight for his 100th cap by playing at the right quality level and playing consistently well.
A ruling made yesterday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland throws the transfer system into yet more contention and confusion. The ruling provides for a formula that allows players to breach their contracts after a certain period and pay his club compensation based on the value of his remaining wages within that contract. The case arose from the transfer of Andy Webster from Hearts to Wigan where he unilaterally decided the move. Whilst details are sketchy at this point, most commentators have interpreted this as first, more power to the players and second, a drastic reduction in transfer fees. For example, it is believed that under the new formula, Fabregas or Ronaldo (arguably the two best young players in the world currently) could be transferred for as little as £12 million without the consent of their clubs under their present contracts. As a side issue, CAS also criticised FIFA for its handling of the case - no surprises there. Expect many more lawyers to earn a lot more money following this ruling.
Speaking of FIFA, in yet another court case in Switzerland, it is expected that the mystery individual who paid £1.2M to FIFA’s TV rights broker, ISL, will be revealed today. FIFA initiated proceedings claiming that it had not received its £29.6M share of the rights sale from ISL. But, investigating magistrate, Thomas Hildebrand, suspects that the original deal was oiled by backhanders (again surprise surprise), and that only revealing the identity of the mystery donator will prevent long-term prison sentences for those involved. Watch this space.
In an interesting development this morning, during a post-match interview with Steve Coppell, the Big Four have suddenly become the Elite Three! Which we can only imagine is bad news for Liverpool after losing 1-0 to West Ham last night. On a more positive note for Liverpool, there is talk of a £500 Million supporters bid for the club based on the Barcelona model. Needless to say, RTG thoroughly endorses their efforts and hope that it proves both a resounding success and a blueprint for the future of other clubs.
RTG is priding itself on its first exclusive. We have the first photograph of Keegan meeting with Dennis Wise. Scroll down for this ‘exclusive’.
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