The African Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) began in January 2017 and the participants’ federations have released their squads for the upcoming tournament. Prior to these announcements, the continent’s high profile stars who ply their trade in European leagues are facing the challenge of leaving their domestic clubs to represent their countries at the tournament. Although…
Strength in numbers? Eligibility in the EFL chekatrade trophy
On 16 November 2016, the English Football League (“EFL”) fined 12 teams participating in the EFL Chekatrade Trophy for failing to field ‘full-strength’ sides. Pursuant to rule 7.3 of the EFL Chekatrade Trophy Rules, “each EFL Club shall play its full available strength in and during all Matches. The League will from time to time…
How to deal with the “EX” factor in football
The 2016/17 Premier League season is well underway and the headlines in transfer news have been dominated by Paul Pogba’s transfer to Manchester United for a reported fee of £89 million. The hashtag #POGBACK was rife on all possible platforms of United’s social media to highlight that Pogba was returning to the club he left…
Punishing historical offensive tweets in Football – The gray area
It has recently been revealed that Burnley striker Andre Gray posted a number of allegedly sexist, homophobic and derogatory tweets on his Twitter account when he was a non-league player at Hinckley United back in 2012. Having scored his first Premier League goal in Burnley’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday 20 August 2016, the…
Balancing transparent and confidentiality in the publication of player contracts
In January 2016 the wider football world was treated to a Wiki Leaks type revelation of player contracts by Football Leaks, a website which described itself as “…a newly-formed organisation in pursuit of truth…” while stating “… we believe that only through public pressure in high volumes a difference can be made…” Its aim appeared…
How to survive the ban on third party ownership (“TPO”)
The recent comprehensive worldwide ban of TPO by FIFA poses a threat to football players, clubs and leagues across South America and Europe where the practice has hitherto been a way of life and sure means of survival. They must now learn to survive within the new regulation. Origins of TPO Well-heeled clubs prospered by…