- Sep 16, 2004
- 2,804
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Premier League Handbook: Rules
Section K
Approaches to Players
3. Any Club which by itself, by any of its Officials, by any of its Players, by its Agent, by any other Person on its behalf or by any other means whatsoever makes an approach either directly or indirectly to a Contract Player except as permitted by either Rule K.1.2 (with the prior written consent of the Club) or Rule K.2 ('out of contract' player) shall be in breach of these Rules and may be dealt with under the provisions of Section R.
Public Statements
8. A statement made publicly by or on behalf of a Club expressing interest in acquiring the registration of a Contract Player or by a Contract Player expressing interest in transferring his registration to another Club (or club) shall in either case be treated as an indirect approach for the purposes of Rules K.3 and K.6.
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Rule three forbids a club making a direct or indirect approach for a player (or through their agent) unless...
1. they have the prior written consent of the 'selling club'
2. the player is free to negotiate as he is out of contract or a free agent on a Bosman
We did not permit ManU or Liverpool to approach (or indirectly pursue) Berba or Keane & neither is a free agent.
Rule 8 is there specifically to prevent the indirect approach of a contacted player using the media as a third party. Unless the proposed buying club has had the written consent of the seller to approach the player; they cannot publically express a desire to buy the player. Rule 8 is there to stop clubs being able to destabilise a player through the press when the selling club doesn't wish to to business.
Both Fergie & Rafa's statements to the press contravene rule K8 and therefore constitute indirect approaches for contracted players - as prohibited in rule K3. Levy is a shrewd operator and has both Fergie and Rafa banged to rights on this one - and claims to have the evidence to prove it to any enquiry!
The downside here is that Section R - that deals with punishments for rule-breaking allows a huge leeway. The FA can issue a fixed penalty, a fine, order a commission (who have stronger punative powers), a panel of inquiry (with lesser powers) or come up with an ad-hoc ruling.
Both ManU and Liverpool will appeal any decision - and if the Tevez saga is anything to go by, will get off very lightly. I can't see the FA taking a stand and docking points, enforcing a transfer embago or anything else that will actually hurt either offending club. The FA will cop out and issue a warning or at worst a small personal fine to Fergie and Rafa.
Section K
Approaches to Players
3. Any Club which by itself, by any of its Officials, by any of its Players, by its Agent, by any other Person on its behalf or by any other means whatsoever makes an approach either directly or indirectly to a Contract Player except as permitted by either Rule K.1.2 (with the prior written consent of the Club) or Rule K.2 ('out of contract' player) shall be in breach of these Rules and may be dealt with under the provisions of Section R.
Public Statements
8. A statement made publicly by or on behalf of a Club expressing interest in acquiring the registration of a Contract Player or by a Contract Player expressing interest in transferring his registration to another Club (or club) shall in either case be treated as an indirect approach for the purposes of Rules K.3 and K.6.
_____________________________________________________
Rule three forbids a club making a direct or indirect approach for a player (or through their agent) unless...
1. they have the prior written consent of the 'selling club'
2. the player is free to negotiate as he is out of contract or a free agent on a Bosman
We did not permit ManU or Liverpool to approach (or indirectly pursue) Berba or Keane & neither is a free agent.
Rule 8 is there specifically to prevent the indirect approach of a contacted player using the media as a third party. Unless the proposed buying club has had the written consent of the seller to approach the player; they cannot publically express a desire to buy the player. Rule 8 is there to stop clubs being able to destabilise a player through the press when the selling club doesn't wish to to business.
Both Fergie & Rafa's statements to the press contravene rule K8 and therefore constitute indirect approaches for contracted players - as prohibited in rule K3. Levy is a shrewd operator and has both Fergie and Rafa banged to rights on this one - and claims to have the evidence to prove it to any enquiry!
The downside here is that Section R - that deals with punishments for rule-breaking allows a huge leeway. The FA can issue a fixed penalty, a fine, order a commission (who have stronger punative powers), a panel of inquiry (with lesser powers) or come up with an ad-hoc ruling.
Both ManU and Liverpool will appeal any decision - and if the Tevez saga is anything to go by, will get off very lightly. I can't see the FA taking a stand and docking points, enforcing a transfer embago or anything else that will actually hurt either offending club. The FA will cop out and issue a warning or at worst a small personal fine to Fergie and Rafa.