BRUSSELS – Ms. Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Sport’s complaint: “Many clubs are scandalous, dealing with African children”. Berlin reply from Franz Beckenbauer, from the other vice-president of the German federation: “The politicians of the European commission are nothing. People are driven out of their country and put there”. In this climate that is not exactly idyllic, there was a crucial meeting in Zurich of federal and club leaders, in an attempt to save what could be saved in the face of the EU’s diktat to cancel compensation payments for footballers. The European government was categorical: either football changes or the current system will be declared outlawed on September 20th. All the components of football had to take note of the situation and, in fact, go in the direction desired by the European Commission. “We have prepared a package that we believe can be appreciated by the EU,” said Blatter at the end of the meeting. In fact, Fifa bows to the wishes of Europe: it only tries to put protective posts on clubs and nurseries and tries to take time to cushion the devastating consequences on the organization of societies. But here are the proposals of Fifa. Yes to the abolition of any compensation for transferring to clubs for players after age 24: but before that age, compensation for training the company and prohibiting transfers before the age of 18 must be recognized. The contracts must be binding for the parties for at least one year and therefore no chance for the players to change teams as they like: the transfers must be limited to one per year.

Transitions from one team to another must be limited to a limited period of time. Furthermore, the principle of reciprocity would be introduced: footballers can leave a club when they want but even clubs can free themselves at will of a player who does not satisfy them. A half revolution then: but will it be enough for the EU, which wants a total revolution? Meanwhile Blatter has set up a task force that will have to work on remedies to cushion the consequences of the new rules coming. “And then we need time,” Blatter pleaded. “I trust that the European Commission will give us a proposal until the end of 2000. We have demonstrated our good will. We cannot destroy something that has existed for a hundred years in the twinkling of an eye.” “Something concrete at last,” they commented in Reding’s entourage, which in the afternoon had launched very harsh accusations. “I find it outrageous that players, large or small, can be treated as objects of speculation. Players imported from Africa and rejected on the road if they do not produce as hoped. The behavior of certain clubs is not worthy of civilized countries.”