Young Talented Footballers or Exploited Youth?
Monday, 06 April 09, 01:57 PM · Comments(6)
I'm going to tread carefully on this subject and as much as I would like to have an opportunity to slag off Manchester United, it's an area where Arsenal (along with many other clubs, not just the big four or even just English Clubs) have a history of treading slightly on the dark side.
I'm talking about the next big thing (this week it's United's 17 year old Italian) and the manner in which they were "coerced" into leaving their home country at an early age as a result of differing employment laws, ambitious agents, wooing of parents and, above all else (as usual), the money & greed of players and club. Lazio are the latest club to complain about the lack of fairness in their attempt to try and keep a young, talented player at their club. It's hard not to see their point (in the same way that Barcelona were unable to offer a young Cesc (or Merida) a contract at 15 - even if he left because he felt he would get more opportunities at Arsenal and that proved correct) that differing regulations across Europe (and, I guess, the world) mean that clubs with their global contacts and scouting systems will do whatever they can (mostly legally but as with the Mikel case, the line can be pushed) to secure the next superstar.
It's not just these cases but there are far more worrying stories regarding young players in poorer countries who may see football as the only potential way of a successful and prosperous future. In these situations there are always individuals who can see a way of making a few quid at the expense of the gullible and desperate. It would be nice to think that Blatter might just spend a bit more time on these deserving cases rather than his quest for some of his other causes. France is the most likely destination for African footballers due to it's colonial past and historic links with the continent as well as the huge numbers of successful African footballers in the country. Of course, this makes it the target for more con men.
It would be nice to think that clubs would like to see both a level playing field but also a morally sound one but we know that too much money and too many parasites infest the game now for that to be as easy to achieve as it should..
Tomorrow - we'll mention the Arse!
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6 Comments · Add yours
Those are great points. I have a friend who got conned out of a lot of money under the pretense of going for a trial in Indonesia. Great read!
It is a little underhanded, the way that big clubs can come in and whisk away these young footballers almost at will.
The problem is that while it is morally questionable, it isn't illegal. The different rules in different countries (and F.A.s) effectively make it a grey area. It's definitely something that FIFA should look at. Maybe a standardized ruling that governs all youth systems?
And god forbid a young player would like to play at a bigger club. then what would happen if their current club doesn't allow them to move, does a 16 year old kid just wait around and not have a choice of moving up.
Think about not being given the power to choose your future, even at a young age.
currently footballers have a choice to stay with their clubs or move on to greater things.
what the real issue here is compensation for taking youngsters away, and maybe youngsters should be able to have more solid agreements in contracts which then forces clubs like arsenal to pay to take them away instead of just trying to take them on the free.
RedDevil it's also about 16 year old boys leaving home and going to a foreign country for a small chance of making it as a professional footballer. If they are good enough they will come through at home anyway. Arsenal are just as guilty as pther clubs of luring these youngsters to England. The English FA didn't help by imposing the 50 mile rule on English youngsters and forcing clubs to look further afield. The amount of Irish kids going to English clubs and coming home with nothing has always been an issue over here too.
I think the 50 mile rule is a pretty good start. Although I think that only applies to kids who are under a certain age (16?). It's only fair that you not uproot a person at a really young age, and keep them local - they probably grew up loving the local club anyway, so chances are if they're in the youth system there, they might stay there.
@ RedDevil: I agree with you - they have a choice. Who wouldn't leave their youth setup if United, Arsenal or Madrid came calling. Just associating yourself to these clubs already puts some nice padding to your resume.
The downside is that if the players never reach their (estimated) potential, they may not be able to return to their home clubs, and instead spend their career toiling in smaller clubs or the lower leagues.
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