Guys , I' m starting this thread to discuss the aspects of a football contract , the role of agents , the money involved etc.,

I wanted to start this a long time back but now David Luiz's prolonged transfer talks reminded me the questions I had in my mind. Some questions here ,

1. The players will know at a young age they are developing very well, will surely have aspirations to join a bigger club . A big club will try to sign a good player for sure. So why is that such a player goes on to sign a contract with a huge break out clause ? doesn't make sense ..

2. When a club swaps a player on part exchange , do they have to get the permission of the player and the agent ? say in Luiz's case , what if Matic does not want to Benfica due to some reasons ? Does the club always have the final say here ?

3. Does a club always have to talk to a player's agent in deciding on contracts ? Is it possible for them to over rule what the agents say and still get in contact with a player incase the player himself is ready to talk to the club ? Can the agents complain to FIFA in that case ?

4. Is the agent just a representative or can he also hold the economic rights of a player based on his contract with the player ?

Edited January 28, 201114 yr by sizzler85

I will leave someone far more knowledgeable than me (which is almost anyone on the forum) to answer this. BUT I do get the impression sometimes that the footballers themselves are just lumps of talented meat with very little say in their own futures. I would be delighted to be told that I am wrong.

Here's my thoughts...whehther they're all right or not is debatable.

1. I believe players do know when they are going to be good in general, though some are deluded and others overly humble...I believe that there will always be some players who believe they are the next big thing, and won't sign a contract with their existing club and will instead seek to move to a big club, for a low/no transfer fee by running down their contract. This would increase interest if they're good and be more likely to result in a deal. However far more often, a young player will sign a new contract with their existing club. Now, this could be because they genuinely like the club, and want to stay there, at least until something better comes along, or because they want the security of knowing that if no-one else is interested, they will still have a career there. Other reasons could be that the club don't want to lose them for basically nothing, and the player as a sign of respect, may sign a contract with a gentlemen's agreement that they could be sold when something comes along. I don't think all players really think about the clauses stipulated in a contract unless they're told to. I think the money would be much more focussed on than get out clauses.

2. I believe if a player is offered in part exchange with cash, they have no obligation to agree to join the other club. If their current club puts them up on offer, and the other team accepts that player as an acceptable arrangement, they are allowed to talk to the player. The player either agrees or disagrees to the terms offered. If they disagree, it's essentially a deal breaker, and another deal would need to be made. A player cannot be forced to join a club under any normal circumstances...perhaps in some countries instead of a shotgun marriage, you could have a shotgun football contract signing...a joyous occasion for all involved no doubt.

3 and 4. My opinion is that agents are supposed to act in the interests of their clients. If their client is willing to accept less money from one club than another, because he wants to be at that specific club, the client should achieve that. I personally believe once a club has earnt permission to talk to a player (transfer offer accepted), they should be able to talk to a player's agent, or the player himself. If the player can be contacted without breaking any laws to find their contact information, I see no reason why the club shouldn't be able to talk to the player himself. Obviously it's an eithical gray area as to whether the club will try and pressure the player, in which case, they shouldn't be allowed to talk to the player directly, and it's safer for the player through their agent. If it's just a friendly chat finding out about interest, basica figures etc, I see nothing wrong with it. Though it would be hard to tell a club's motive unless it actually happens, so it's hard to police. I would guess that speaking to a player with an agent, without the agent's knowledge is frowned upon, but not against the rules unless of course the contract made between the player and his agent spefically prohibits such activities.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by holding economic rights of a player, but as I said, the agents should act in the interests of their clients. The players should choose their preferred option, regardless of the financial benefits. The agent will get whatever the agreed upon amount (% of transfer fee, % of wages, signing fee etc). Essentially, the agent will have control over as much of, or as little of a player's economic outcomes that the contract stipulates. I certainly don't think an agent can force a player to do something any more than a club can. I also think there would be limitations on the amount of control a contract can give to an agent...because you simply can't own a person and their rights in a civilised society.

------------------------

These are my mediocre thoughts to some very loaded questions. As I said, not necessarily correct, just what I think. Read or don't read doesn't matter, it's given me something to think about. Sorry if I've wasted your time with idiotic ramblings lol

I'll have a go at these too, this is my impression of how it all works.

1. The players will know at a young age they are developing very well, will surely have aspirations to join a bigger club . A big club will try to sign a good player for sure. So why is that such a player goes on to sign a contract with a huge break out clause ? doesn't make sense ..

Pressure from the club. The club will want it for financial security, and will be willing to pay the player more in the short term, and we as humans tend to think mainly in the short term.

2. When a club swaps a player on part exchange , do they have to get the permission of the player and the agent ? say in Luiz's case , what if Matic does not want to Benfica due to some reasons ? Does the club always have the final say here ?

The player has to accept and sign a contract.

3. Does a club always have to talk to a player's agent in deciding on contracts ? Is it possible for them to over rule what the agents say and still get in contact with a player incase the player himself is ready to talk to the club ? Can the agents complain to FIFA in that case ?

Legally that would be ludicrous, a player can hire whoever they want as their agent, even no one, or themselves.

4. Is the agent just a representative or can he also hold the economic rights of a player based on his contract with the player ?

If the agent held economic rights over the player that would be third party ownership as in the Tevez/Mascherano things. It's been outlawed in Europe (possibly the world), but it still happens a lot in South America.