The Drubbing

Today FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, laid down some serious pavement over a persistent problem in the world of professional soccer.  It announced today that Chelsea Football Club has been banned from participating in the next two available transfer windows (January and Summer 2010) as a result of a little tapping up on a player.  Back in 2007, Lens striker Gael Kakuta was allegedly encouraged and “induced” to break his contract with the club by Chelsea officials.  Tapping up directly undermines the integrity of the game and casts a shadow over the clubs that take part in it.  If deals are being honed without agents or team officials involved, then its begets a feeling of anarchy to the whole transfer system.

Wow. I stand in awe at the sheer brilliance of the move on FIFA’s part.

It is actually taking a stand against shady deals and unethical behavior in the business end of soccer and using a globally known super club as their punching bag.  Think about it.  What better penalty is there then essentially freezing a club’s competitive assets.

I am, self-admittedly a Chelsea supporter.  I feel a little conflicted admitting my allegiance in this forum, but in this I think the case I’m making is effective enough to expose myself (figuratively of course.)  Despite flying the Blue Flag, I’m still in favor of the idea of freezing a team’s ability to take part in the transfer market.  It is, in itself, damaging financially with far-reaching implications. But it is also excruciating and embarrassing for a club and its fans. Double whammy.

However, from a Chelsea supporter’s perspective, it might actually be a blessing in disguise.  Injury holes will have to be plugged by reserve team and youth players rather than further stunting their growth and unleashing the fury on a multi-million singings.  I’m not even spinning this to make myself feel better.  Not even close.  Despite the trophies and glory that Chelsea has attained since Roman Abramovich bought the club, it is just sickening to see these with an emphasis on purchasing them as opposed to an emphasis on earning them with homegrown talent (a la Manchester United of the 90s).

The punishment doled out on Chelsea is fair.  Absolutely.  I do hope, however, that other clubs are treated with the same level of penalty.  Harsh reactions to unfair  are the only way that teams without the money to spend like the biggest clubs in the world, have at least one degree more of a chance of competing.