World Soccer thread III

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by C0ckney
and another day, another chelsea outrage, tapping up frank arnesen (spurs director of football), wonder what the FA will do about this, probably **** all

Arnesen has said he wants to go so he can **** off, as long as we get compensation from Chelsea i couldnt care less.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Ok, MAYBE, the Prem has a valid reason to prevent tapping up of players (argument of collective bargaining may carry the day, even though I doubt it). But what reason can they give to prevent 'tapping up' of front office people?!

[Maquiladora]

These are the club annoucements, in order:

Tottenham:

Chelsea Football Club has made an approach to Sporting Director, Frank Arnesen, in direct breach of FAPL rules. This approach was made both prior to requesting permission and without permission from the Club. Tottenham Hotspur Football Club refused permission for any discussions to take place.


Notwithstanding that he is subject to contract and holds wide-ranging responsibilities and commitments to all parties at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Frank has indicated that he wishes to move to Chelsea Football Club. Accordingly, the Board of Tottenham Hotspur plc has suspended Frank Arnesen with immediate effect.


The Club is currently in discussions with its legal advisors and a further announcement will be made in due course.

Chelsea:

In response to the suspension of Frank Arnesen by Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea Ltd, the parent company of Chelsea Football Club, has put out the following statement.



“Chelsea Ltd made an official approach to Tottenham Hotspur for permission to speak to Frank Arnesen two weeks ago.


”Chelsea Ltd has been in direct discussions with Tottenham for the last two weeks on this subject.”

Tottenham:

In response to the statement by Chelsea Ltd, parent company of Chelsea Football Club, the club wishes to clarify the following points.


Chelsea Ltd's letter asking permission to approach Frank Arnesen sent to the club on the 21st May was copied to Frank Arnesen. By definition, Frank was therefore approached prior to the club having had any chance to refuse permission.


A further call was made to the club by Chelsea on the 23rd May when again permission to approach Frank was refused and this was confirmed in writing to them at the time. No other discussions were held with Chelsea until Friday 3rd June when, at the Premier League Chairman's meeting, the Chairman and Club Secretary met with the Chief Executive and Chairman of Chelsea. At that meeting our Chairman made clear his disappointment both at the approach and nature of the approach and made clear his intentions to seek substantial damages.


The rule which has been breached is rule U10 which cites 'no club shall directly or indirectly induce or intend to induce any employee of another club to terminate a contract of employment with that other club (whether or not by breach of that contract) or directly or indirectly approach any such employee with a view to offering employment without the consent of that other club'.

As said on another board they should stop all Chelsea transfers for a season and deduct (properly) a few more points for next season, otherwise itll do **** all. Chelsea are fast becoming my 3rd most hated team in the PL

[Imran Siddiqui]

Oh, that's ridiculous. Stopping transfers and deduct points for copying a letter asking permission to the person whose permission was being asked? What mock outrage!

The FA better tread lightly, because I'm sure Abromovich has plenty of cash for legal challenges against a 'restraint of trade' as well.

[MikeH]

Company offers man job shocker.

[reds4ever]

The FA needs to sort this out. They need to look at their regs and see which ones arn't legally enforcable in a court of law and ditch them. Either that or every player/manger/club employee will have to sign waivers agreeing to certian rules.

[MikeH]

They need to ditch the whole concept of "tapping up" being a bad thing.

The richest clubs will generally get the best staff in the end whether they be players, managers, or whatever. Fact of life.

[reds4ever]

the problem IMHO is that (say) Chelsea tapping up a Liverpool player is one thing, Liverpool will survive. Chelsea tapping up some young player from the lower leagues causing the player to 'create problems' at his club in order to be sold (and maybe not at his full market value or what he would be worth in a few more years) is another.

[MikeH]

That's nothing an 'off the record' leak to a tabloid couldn't achieve anyway. Or if a club approaches that players club and are rejected the player will find out anyway.

[reds4ever]

very true. Chelsea have just been indiscreet (or stupid).

[MikeH]

They should try and bring in someone new to be in charge of transfers to stop this kind of gaffe happening in future.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by MikeH
They should try and bring in someone new to be in charge of transfers to stop this kind of gaffe happening in future.

Machiavelli?

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by reds4ever
very true. Chelsea have just been indiscreet (or stupid).

The first certainly, since its happened before. Tottenham arent even forced to take it further, but if it was an illegal approach theres no reason to just let it pass, expensive lawyers or not.

I like Chelsea though, as long as Mourinho is there theyre a damn sight more entertaining to see at the top of the league than Manure or Arsenal.

[DanS]

Originally posted by MikeH
That's nothing an 'off the record' leak to a tabloid couldn't achieve anyway. Or if a club approaches that players club and are rejected the player will find out anyway.

Some of those tabloids make hollywood press coverage look very reliable in comparison.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by reds4ever
very true. Chelsea have just been indiscreet (or stupid).

Indeed. Need to work on a good transfer/PR man. Have the tabloids say Ashley Cole is going to Chelsea rather than get caught trying to get him themselves.