Postman Question on 080808

The Postman’s Question of the Weekend: Do you think players should be allowed to compete in a tournament such as the Olympics, or do clubs have the right to play their stars, whose wages they pay? 8 August 2008

The club vs conutry issue is not new. That is why Fifa had drew up a calendar which sanctioned international competitions in which the clubs must release the players. Olmypics is not one of them.The clubs have every right to claim ‘possession’ of the players as they pay the dough. They have to answer to the stakeholders ie the owners and the fans. However, they should have a much wider view and understanding of the player, the very person which they valued so highly, that he placed playing for his country is a greatest honour which money cannot buy especially in competitions like the Olympics which has no monetary value. The club must realise that such players could translate this value to the club personally ie being loyal and remember your roots. The clubs should see it as a win-win situation in that way rather than focussing on who needs the player more, club or country.