Belgian MEP calls for an end to player transfers unless Fifa reforms

Exempt: Football does not conform to several aspects of European law
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images
Sam Long3 February 2016

Football needs to prove it "deserves" the exemptions from European Union law that the sport's transfer system currently benefits from - or risk losing such privileges, according to Belgian MEP Ivo Belet.

The game could be set for major reform with scandal-hit Fifa set to elect a new president later this month after widespread corruption throughout the organisation was revealed.

Premier League clubs have spent more than £1bn on new signings this season and it has been suggested big-money deals could be under threat in the future unless the sport's world governing body can cleans up its act.

The paying of transfer fees is just one of several aspects of law European teams do not have to conform to and Belet - who has fought the corruption that led to Sepp Blatter's suspension - believes the European Commission could consider revoking the advantages.

"Transfer fees are an exemption from employment rules in the European Union. It's a ridiculous system a kind of modern, well-paid slavery.

"But football and car manufacturing aren't the same. Football has another dimension - social and cultural.

"They have the right to some exemptions but they have to deserve them," he insisted.

"It is not the job of the European Parliament or the Europa Commission to regulate football.

"But when they are not responding to demands for good governance, it is the job of the European Commission to put pressure on Fifa and Uefa," Belet added.

Seven candidates are set to stand in the upcoming Fifa presidential election, which will take place on 26 February.

Gianni Infantino, Bahrain's Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Hussein, a former FIFA vice-president, and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France are all vying to replace Sepp Blatter.

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