West Ham's Karren Brady warns of 'chaos and anarchy' after landmark announcement
Yesterday at 01:56 PM
West Ham co-owner Karren Brady is never one to shy away from getting involved in the debate around football regulation, and she has now given her verdict on the biggest issue of the day.
Increasingly, football’s battleground is shifting, with the courtroom becoming as crucial as the pitch – much to the disdain and frustration of supporters.
The Premier League‘s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have ensnared Everton and Nottingham Forest after lengthy tribunals, while Leicester City have escaped punishment on a technicality.
Man City’s case regarding 115 alleged financial offences is still ongoing meanwhile, and Chelsea are being investigated for breaches under the Roman Abramovich era that the new owners reported themselves.
This week, the biggest news was that Man City had claimed victory over the Premier League in their challenge to its associated party transaction (APT rules), which govern commercial deals linked to owners.
Despite historically enjoying a close relationship with City, West Ham were one of the clubs to give evidence supporting the Premier League in that case.
West Ham have so far managed to avoid any PSR issues and, contrary to what some suspect the club have been briefing, cannot blame ticket price rises on Premier League spending rules.
Now, in an issue which is distinct from that legal wrangle but could prove just as if not more significant, Karren Brady has weighed in on a landmark legal case centred on player contracts.
Karren Brady’s verdict on ruling that could revolutionise the transfer system
For the last ten years, former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra has been fighting FIFA in the courts.
The dispute is related to world football’s governing body’s refusal to provide him an international transfer certificate after Lokomotiv Moscow terminated his contract early in 2014.
A new ruling from the European Court of Justice found that this was unlawful, as is the part of FIFA’s transfer system that holds a club wanting to sign a player liable to their former club in the Diarra scenario.
Some legal experts have said that this could be the end of the transfer system as we know it, as the legal precedent the Diarra ruling sets will give players far more power and leverage.
Writing in her column in The Sun, Brady warned that the Diarra ruling could lead to “chaos and anarchy”.
Brady warned that the case could destabilise football by allowing players to terminate contracts freely, which might enable clubs to do the same, leading to bedlam in the financial system.
This change could eliminate transfer fees, harming clubs that rely on compensation and reducing job security for most players, she argued.
While some might benefit from easier moves, Brady thinks the the overall impact could be detrimental to the entire football ecosystem, echoing concerns raised during the Bosman ruling.
West Ham’s stance on football regulation
In recent history, West Ham have fought against increased regulation in terms of football governance.
For example, Brady has slated plans for an independent football regulator, which could be introduced some time in 2025.
Her argument, which is echoed by many in the Premier League, is that over-regulation could stifle the growth and power of the most commercial successful league in the world.
The riposte from advocates of the regulator is that it would safeguard fans interests, ensure financial stability, and prevent further breakaway plots like the European Super League.
