Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Player Agents Reveal Football Player Salary Adjustment in the Midst of the Corona Virus Pandemic

By db-admin

DBasia.news – The corona virus pandemic has affected football globally in the past two months. The impact is not just stopping competitive matches in Europe’s top leagues, but also on players’ salaries and transfers.

The 2019-20 season should have ended and the teams enters the break ahead of the new season – plus the 2020 European Cup begins. However, the competition is not over as the Corona virus and a number of problems have emerged.

Discussing issues regarding salary or player transfers from the perspective of coaches, players, and football figures is common. This time Stefan Backs, agent of Alexander Nubel, Ralf Fahrmann, and Marco Hoger shared his story regarding the issue.

Director of Siebert & Backs Fussballmanagement, a football agency in Dortmund, admitted there was an adjustment from the player’s agent regarding their work amid the corona virus pandemic. As the clubs are currently focused on maintaining financial conditions.

“The transfer business is almost completely dried up because at the moment, the club only has to find out how they can survive the crisis,” Backs told DW.

“This has changed our focus. Now players are more likely to come to us with questions like: What’s next? What are the legal aspects of salary deduction? Our real business, player transfers, is quite quiet at the moment.”

The impact is on the caution of the club before recruiting new players in the transfer market.

“All of our players are currently under contract, so they are in a relatively good position. But things are different for the coach we represent,” Backs added.

“This is more difficult because the club does not know how they should plan. For this reason, a lot of things are being held,” he continued.

The corona virus pandemic affected the club’s financial condition and led to a decline in purchasing power. As a result, player price inflation does not occur and their value is predicted to be relatively normal. Even the salaries of players are also cut in order to maintain the financial condition of the club.

“In the short term only the best players will be involved in big transfers, and ‘normal’ Bundesliga players will see their value go down. Players like this will no longer charge high transfer fees,” Backs added.

Finally Backs also commented on the issue of salary restrictions that will be applied in Europe in addressing the latest pandemic. Backs does not agree to the rules that are also applied in MLS (Major League Soccer) United States.

“In my opinion, the salary limit is not feasible. We live in a free market. It’s up to everyone to decide for themselves how much money they want to spend on a player,” Backs stressed.

“If restrictions are used, they must be applied internationally. I believe this is not possible. Clubs must start by limiting themselves and refraining from transfers that are too risky.”

“I do not support the regulations imposed, I also do not think they can be defended legally,” concluded Backs. 

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