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Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Football could introduce new transfer rule to let players buy out their contracts in radical move that would slash fees
All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue. Scroll down to see how some stars' values will be impacted by the proposed change MON£Y BAWL Football could introduce new transfer rule to let players buy out their contracts in radical move that would slash fees Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MASSIVE transfer fees could soon become a thing of the past — with players' chiefs wanting stars to have freedom to break their contracts for a fixed compensation payment. The international players' union FifPro has accused Fifa of dragging its feet over new transfer rules after the European Court agreed that ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Lassana Diarra was illegally "handcuffed" by Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow a decade ago. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A major case involving ex-Chelsea star Lassana Diarra could make massive transfer fees a thing of the past Credit: Getty 5 The ruling from the European Court means inflated transfer fees could be a thing of the past Credit: EPA 5 The likes of Alexander Isak would be able to buy out their contract rather than being marooned while clubs argue over a transfer fee Credit: Alamy Major agents claimed the October ruling was the first step towards a US-style 'free agency' for players, with fees becoming a thing of the past and stars only liable to pay the balance of their contracts when they switch clubs. Top clubs and Fifa are battling to resist such a move, while this summer Prem clubs already splashed out £375million before the full market officially opens tomorrow. But now FifPro has told stars and their lawyers to be ready to test Fifa's failure to react and use European law to push for freedom of movement. FifPro legal chief Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud said: 'Every worker should have the right to end a contractual relationship. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL PLAYING AWAY? Kieran Trippier parties with mystery blondes as star's wife consults lawyers 'Knowing how much you will have to pay as compensation is part of that right. 'Also, the fact you leave your job should not prevent you from being hired in another job, which is what was happening in football.' Even the giants of the game may be forced into a major rethink by the repercussions of a row sparked in Moscow a decade ago. Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Diarra may not have really impacted the Prem in his four seasons, which brought just 44 top-flight games. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Yet Diarra's win at the European Court of Justice looks increasingly likely to significantly change the way the transfer market works. If FifPro is right, the result will be for all players to have the right to break their contracts. Transfer fees could be SCRAPPED forever after Lassana Diarra wins landmark court case against Fifa It would see players worth £100m on the open market suddenly available for a fraction of that sum. Of course, any new regulations will not be introduced this summer. Fifa rushed through a series of temporary transfer regulations, with dire warnings of the 'collapse' of the transfer market unleashing 'chaos'. But FifPro remains unconvinced the latest moves from Zurich meet the demands of EU law. One insider explained: 'This could be the last few years of the inflated transfer fees we have all seen. 'The European Court has said that football must operate within EU law. 5 'Football is the outlier. There's no other industry — other than maybe thoroughbred horses — where you see employees change hands for millions of pounds and it is time for the game to be brought in step.' Gomez Bruinewoud added: 'The judges in the Diarra case explained why the system was against EU law. 'I'm not afraid to say the same Fifa rules are probably also against most national labour laws.' Top players will benefit from higher wages and longer deals, though with budgets finite, that would mean less cash and shorter deals for players further down the pecking order — and limited job security in the lower tiers. Prem club bosses also fear the consequences, arguing the effective abolition of fees would blow up the entire footballing pyramid as money would no longer 'trickle down'. It is likely that, as with the Jean-Marc Bosman courtroom saga that turned European football on its head 30 years ago, it will need another player to be the test case to break the current system. But it seems that challenge is a matter of time from being made. And with the players' union backing, the most fundamental change the game has ever seen. 5 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Football could introduce new transfer rule to let players buy out their contracts in radical move that would slash fees
MASSIVE transfer fees could soon become a thing of the past — with players' chiefs wanting stars to have freedom to break their contracts for a fixed compensation payment. The international players' union FifPro has accused Fifa of dragging its feet over new transfer rules after the 5 A major case involving ex-Chelsea star Lassana Diarra could make massive transfer fees a thing of the past Credit: Getty 5 The ruling from the European Court means inflated transfer fees could be a thing of the past Credit: EPA 5 The likes of Alexander Isak would be able to buy out their contract rather than being marooned while clubs argue over a transfer fee Credit: Alamy Major agents claimed the October ruling was the But now FifPro has told stars and their lawyers to be FifPro legal chief Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud said: 'Every worker should have the right to end a contractual relationship. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL 'Knowing how much you will have to pay as compensation is part of that right. 'Also, the fact you leave your job should not prevent you from being hired in another job, which is what was happening in football.' Even the giants of the game may be forced into a major rethink by the repercussions of a row sparked in Moscow a decade ago. Former Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Yet Diarra's win at the European Court of Justice looks increasingly likely to significantly change the way the transfer market works. If FifPro is right, the result will be for all players to have the right to break their contracts. Transfer fees could be SCRAPPED forever after Lassana Diarra wins landmark court case against Fifa It would see players worth £100m on the open market suddenly available for a fraction of that sum. Of course, any new regulations will not be introduced this summer. Fifa rushed through a series of temporary transfer regulations, with dire warnings of the 'collapse' of the transfer market unleashing 'chaos'. But FifPro remains unconvinced the latest moves from Zurich meet the demands of EU law. One insider explained: 'This could be the last few years of the inflated transfer fees we have all seen. 'The European Court has said that football must operate within EU law. 5 'Football is the outlier. There's no other industry — other than maybe thoroughbred horses — where you see employees change hands for millions of pounds and it is time for the game to be brought in step.' Gomez Bruinewoud added: 'The judges in the Diarra case explained why the system was against EU law. 'I'm not afraid to say the same Fifa rules are probably also against most national labour laws.' Top players will benefit from higher wages and longer deals, though with budgets finite, that would mean less cash and shorter deals for players further down the pecking order — and limited job security in the lower tiers. Prem club bosses also fear the consequences, arguing the effective abolition of fees would blow up the entire footballing pyramid as money would no longer 'trickle down'. It is likely that, as with the Jean-Marc Bosman courtroom saga that turned European football on its head 30 years ago, it will need another player to be the test case to break the current system. But it seems that challenge is a matter of time from being made. And with the players' union backing, the most fundamental change the game has ever seen. 5
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Football could introduce new transfer rule to let players buy out their contracts in radical move that would slash fees
MASSIVE transfer fees could soon become a thing of the past — with players' chiefs wanting stars to have freedom to break their contracts for a fixed compensation payment. The international players' union FifPro has accused Fifa of dragging its feet over new transfer rules after the European Court agreed that ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Lassana Diarra was illegally "handcuffed" by Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow a decade ago. 4 4 Major agents claimed the October ruling was the first step towards a US-style 'free agency' for players, with fees becoming a thing of the past and stars only liable to pay the balance of their contracts when they switch clubs. Top clubs and Fifa are battling to resist such a move, while this summer Prem clubs already splashed out £375million before the full market officially opens tomorrow. But now FifPro has told stars and their lawyers to be ready to test Fifa's failure to react and use European law to push for freedom of movement. FifPro legal chief Alexandra Gomez Bruinewoud said: 'Every worker should have the right to end a contractual relationship. 'Knowing how much you will have to pay as compensation is part of that right. 'Also, the fact you leave your job should not prevent you from being hired in another job, which is what was happening in football.' Even the giants of the game may be forced into a major rethink by the repercussions of a row sparked in Moscow a decade ago. Former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth midfielder Diarra may not have really impacted the Prem in his four seasons, which brought just 44 top-flight games. Yet Diarra's win at the European Court of Justice looks increasingly likely to significantly change the way the transfer market works. If FifPro is right, the result will be for all players to have the right to break their contracts. It would see players worth £100m on the open market suddenly available for a fraction of that sum. Of course, any new regulations will not be introduced this summer. Fifa rushed through a series of temporary transfer regulations, with dire warnings of the 'collapse' of the transfer market unleashing 'chaos'. But FifPro remains unconvinced the latest moves from Zurich meet the demands of EU law. One insider explained: 'This could be the last few years of the inflated transfer fees we have all seen. 'The European Court has said that football must operate within EU law. 'Football is the outlier. There's no other industry — other than maybe thoroughbred horses — where you see employees change hands for millions of pounds and it is time for the game to be brought in step.' Gomez Bruinewoud added: 'The judges in the Diarra case explained why the system was against EU law. 'I'm not afraid to say the same Fifa rules are probably also against most national labour laws.' Top players will benefit from higher wages and longer deals, though with budgets finite, that would mean less cash and shorter deals for players further down the pecking order — and limited job security in the lower tiers. Prem club bosses also fear the consequences, arguing the effective abolition of fees would blow up the entire footballing pyramid as money would no longer 'trickle down'. It is likely that, as with the Jean-Marc Bosman courtroom saga that turned European football on its head 30 years ago, it will need another player to be the test case to break the current system. But it seems that challenge is a matter of time from being made. And with the players' union backing, the most fundamental change the game has ever seen. 4
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea files: Christopher Nkunku knows his time is up while Blues are set to go back into ‘insane' goalkeeper market
JOHN TERRY will feel right at home running the London Marathon this weekend. The iconic one-time Chelsea captain wore the number 26 on his shirt throughout his glittering career. 7 John Terry is running the London Marathon for charity Credit: PA Add another 0.2 miles and you have the exact distance the former defender plans to run through the Capital. Terry, 44, is putting himself through the gruelling course for two good causes: His own foundation which works to 'ensure every child and adult has the opportunity to thrive' and charity 'Rays of Sunshine' aiming to brighten the lives of seriously ill children. Running a marathon is no easy feat even if you are still pretty fit and spent years in tip top shape as a highly-decorated Premier League star. Modern footballers are trained for short bursts of speed across a pitch - not for steady, long-distance running at constant pace. When Chelsea Files last spoke to Terry a few weeks ago he was up to 17.5 miles and looking good for it despite a minor calf problem. But don't think to look out for the most famous Chelsea player of modern times in characteristic blue on Sunday. No way will he be running in a club kit. The reason? 'There might be a few Tottenham fans in the crowd.' He joked. As you would expect, Chelsea's legendary captain is putting the work in ahead of his big run. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He told SunSport: 'Everything I have read says that you have got to put in at least 30 kilometres beforehand.' You can chip in to JT's good causes by clicking here. How Enzo Maresca can transform Chelsea to challenge for Premier League title Fernandes poster boy for burnout fears 7 Enzo Fernandez is the new poster boy for FifPro burnout fears Credit: Getty ENZO FERNANDEZ has become the new poster boy for fears over player burnout. The Blues midfielder featured in a social media blitz from the international players' union FifPro aimed at making a global pre-emptive warning about this summer's hectic programme for club and country. Figures compiled by FifPro show how Argentine schemer Enzo will have to take 11 flights for club and country following the Prem's final game on May 25. It is set to start with a 1500-mile round trip to Wroclaw in Poland with Chelsea favourites to reach the Conference League Final despite squeaking past Legia Warsaw after a quarter-final second leg home defeat on Thursday. Immediately afterwards, Fernandez, 24, will head across the Atlantic for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, before joining up with his Chelsea team-mates ahead of the Club World Cup opener in Atlanta on June 16. It comes as the union's fight to persuade Fifa to ditch the expanded 32-team competition, citing concerns over player welfare, have failed. But a FifPro spokesman referred to Fernandez's likely summer exertions as 'the crunch window', pointing to the realities of his summer programme. FifPro said: 'Enzo now faces one of the most intense stretches of the season, when he will compete in four competitions for club and country between May and the middle of July. 'Our data shows he's already played more than 50 matches this season and by July that's projected to be more than 70, with little time to recover. 'Then the Premier League season restarts in August, leaving him little or no time to rest or retrain. 'Without stronger safeguards, this calendar congestion risks becoming the norm.' Chelsea Women's stunning ticket deal 7 Chelsea Women are letting fans buy up to 20 tickets per person Credit: Reuters CHELSEA WOMEN are at home to Barcelona this Sunday as they bid to overturn a 4-1 deficit in the Champions League semi-final second leg. It's a big ask but already 20,000 tickets have been sold for the 2pm kick-off to underline the growing level of support in the ladies' game. You can buy them on general sale and the club is being ultra generous by offering up to 20 per person. Something you would never see in the men's game. But it does beg one question: How many Chelsea fans do you know with 19 mates? Old favourites for Maresca 7 Enzo Maresca could convince Chelsea to move for Leicester's Mads Hermansen Credit: Getty CHELSEA are always one of the busiest clubs in any transfer window. And the Blues are set to be at the heart of one specific market this summer. Goalkeepers have been a hot topic at Stamford Bridge all season, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen both failing to make their mark as first-choice. That leaves the Blues with a big decision to make over what to do between the posts next season. But they are not the only ones. One industry insider has predicted that the market for keepers this summer is going to be "insane" as a host of players and clubs seek deals. Chelsea will have calls to make on the futures of Sanchez and Jorgensen, but also on loan Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga, both having fine seasons. If they do decide to recruit outside of Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca's former club could provide an answer. The Blues have been impressed with Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen, who saved a penalty from Cole Palmer earlier this season. And Leicester's precarious financial position could give Chelsea the chance to snag a bargain. While there is likely to be plenty of interest in the Danish stopper, Leicester's need to sell could see them reduce the asking price of £35m. Pop royalty at the Bridge 7 Madonna watched Chelsea lose to Legia Warszawa at Stamford Bridge last Thursday Credit: Instagram/Madonna AT CHELSEA you play for the badge - unless it was last Thursday at Stamford Bridge when they played for the Madge. Eagle-eyed star spotters picked out that pop legend Madonna was sitting in the stands and watching the Conference League clash with Poles Legia Warsaw. The multi-award-winning performer is mates with Chelsea's own rock star director Barbara Charone. True Blue was a number one album for Madonna in 1986. Listen out for it on the Stamford Bridge PA system soon. No easy exit for Nkunku 7 Christopher Nkunku knows his time at Chelsea is up Credit: Getty CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU knows his time is up at Chelsea. The French forward is now playing a waiting game with the club to find a possible outlet this summer. Nkunku was dropped from Sunday's matchday squad for Fulham by boss Enzo Maresca who insisted it was for 'technical' reasons. This is managerial code for simply ditching a player the manager doesn't think is up to the job. There has been no fallout between player and head coach but Nkunku is now leaving the ball in Chelsea's court to find him a new club in the close season. He still has four years left on his contract and can sit back safe in that knowledge. The only worry for the player and his advisers is that Chelsea will still demand a high price for a player who has never really settled at Stamford Bridge. New face in the dugout 7 There will be a new face in the dugout for Chelsea next weekend as Maresca serves a ban Credit: Rex ENZO MARESCA cannot win. Not on the football pitch. His attempts to win over sceptical Chelsea fans will have to go on hold this weekend as he serves a one-game touchline ban. This is because the Italian picked up his third yellow card of the season at Fulham on Sunday for his overzealous celebrations of Pedro Neto's 93rd-minute winner. An act of raw emotion that the fans should have lapped up as they demand to see more of the old Chelsea identity back. Modest Maresca cooled down then left the pitch at the final whistle to let the players and travelling supporters celebrate together - and copped some stick from some for not joining in. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't?
The Sun
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Chelsea files: Christopher Nkunku knows his time is up while Blues are set to go back into ‘insane' goalkeeper market
JOHN TERRY will feel right at home running the London Marathon this weekend. The iconic one-time Chelsea captain wore the number 26 on his shirt throughout his glittering career. Add another 0.2 miles and you have the exact distance the former defender plans to run through the Capital. Terry, 44, is putting himself through the gruelling course for two good causes: His own foundation which works to 'ensure every child and adult has the opportunity to thrive' and charity 'Rays of Sunshine' aiming to brighten the lives of seriously ill children. Running a marathon is no easy feat even if you are still pretty fit and spent years in tip top shape as a highly-decorated Premier League star. Modern footballers are trained for short bursts of speed across a pitch - not for steady, long-distance running at constant pace. When Chelsea Files last spoke to Terry a few weeks ago he was up to 17.5 miles and looking good for it despite a minor calf problem. But don't think to look out for the most famous Chelsea player of modern times in characteristic blue on Sunday. No way will he be running in a club kit. The reason? 'There might be a few Tottenham fans in the crowd.' He joked. As you would expect, Chelsea's legendary captain is putting the work in ahead of his big run. He told SunSport: 'Everything I have read says that you have got to put in at least 30 kilometres beforehand.' You can chip in to JT's good causes by clicking here. Fernandes poster boy for burnout fears 7 ENZO FERNANDEZ has become the new poster boy for fears over player burnout. The Blues midfielder featured in a social media blitz from the international players' union FifPro aimed at making a global pre-emptive warning about this summer's hectic programme for club and country. Figures compiled by FifPro show how Argentine schemer Enzo will have to take 11 flights for club and country following the Prem's final game on May 25. It is set to start with a 1500-mile round trip to Wroclaw in Poland with Chelsea favourites to reach the Conference League Final despite squeaking past Legia Warsaw after a quarter-final second leg home defeat on Thursday. Immediately afterwards, Fernandez, 24, will head across the Atlantic for World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia, before joining up with his Chelsea team-mates ahead of the Club World Cup opener in Atlanta on June 16. It comes as the union's fight to persuade Fifa to ditch the expanded 32-team competition, citing concerns over player welfare, have failed. But a FifPro spokesman referred to Fernandez's likely summer exertions as 'the crunch window', pointing to the realities of his summer programme. FifPro said: 'Enzo now faces one of the most intense stretches of the season, when he will compete in four competitions for club and country between May and the middle of July. 'Our data shows he's already played more than 50 matches this season and by July that's projected to be more than 70, with little time to recover. 'Then the Premier League season restarts in August, leaving him little or no time to rest or retrain. 'Without stronger safeguards, this calendar congestion risks becoming the norm.' Chelsea Women's stunning ticket deal CHELSEA WOMEN are at home to Barcelona this Sunday as they bid to overturn a 4-1 deficit in the Champions League semi-final second leg. It's a big ask but already 20,000 tickets have been sold for the 2pm kick-off to underline the growing level of support in the ladies' game. You can buy them on general sale and the club is being ultra generous by offering up to 20 per person. Something you would never see in the men's game. But it does beg one question: How many Chelsea fans do you know with 19 mates? Old favourites for Maresca CHELSEA are always one of the busiest clubs in any transfer window. And the Blues are set to be at the heart of one specific market this summer. Goalkeepers have been a hot topic at Stamford Bridge all season, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen both failing to make their mark as first-choice. That leaves the Blues with a big decision to make over what to do between the posts next season. But they are not the only ones. One industry insider has predicted that the market for keepers this summer is going to be "insane" as a host of players and clubs seek deals. Chelsea will have calls to make on the futures of Sanchez and Jorgensen, but also on loan Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga, both having fine seasons. If they do decide to recruit outside of Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca 's former club could provide an answer. The Blues have been impressed with Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen, who saved a penalty from Cole Palmer earlier this season. And Leicester's precarious financial position could give Chelsea the chance to snag a bargain. While there is likely to be plenty of interest in the Danish stopper, Leicester's need to sell could see them reduce the asking price of £35m. Pop royalty at the Bridge 7 AT CHELSEA you play for the badge - unless it was last Thursday at Stamford Bridge when they played for the Madge. Eagle-eyed star spotters picked out that pop legend Madonna was sitting in the stands and watching the Conference League clash with Poles Legia Warsaw. The multi-award-winning performer is mates with Chelsea's own rock star director Barbara Charone. True Blue was a number one album for Madonna in 1986. Listen out for it on the Stamford Bridge PA system soon. No easy exit for Nkunku CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU knows his time is up at Chelsea. The French forward is now playing a waiting game with the club to find a possible outlet this summer. Nkunku was dropped from Sunday's matchday squad for Fulham by boss Enzo Maresca who insisted it was for 'technical' reasons. This is managerial code for simply ditching a player the manager doesn't think is up to the job. There has been no fallout between player and head coach but Nkunku is now leaving the ball in Chelsea's court to find him a new club in the close season. He still has four years left on his contract and can sit back safe in that knowledge. The only worry for the player and his advisers is that Chelsea will still demand a high price for a player who has never really settled at Stamford Bridge. New face in the dugout ENZO MARESCA cannot win. Not on the football pitch. His attempts to win over sceptical Chelsea fans will have to go on hold this weekend as he serves a one-game touchline ban. This is because the Italian picked up his third yellow card of the season at Fulham on Sunday for his overzealous celebrations of Pedro Neto's 93rd-minute winner. An act of raw emotion that the fans should have lapped up as they demand to see more of the old Chelsea identity back. Modest Maresca cooled down then left the pitch at the final whistle to let the players and travelling supporters celebrate together - and copped some stick from some for not joining in. Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't?
