.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.png)
Footballers’ union can expect clubs’ resistance to MFA recognition
The General Workers Union’s plans to bring union rights to footballers has brought out in the open the ‘union-unfriendly’ credentials of some club presidents, who according to the MFA’s vice-president would go on the warpath if players are unionised.
12 August 2011, 12:00am
Matthew Vella
Matthew Vella
2 min read
“Such comments are very worrying in a day and age when social dialogue between employers, unions and regulators is promoted to ensure progress and stability of an enterprise, sector or area of society,” the union said in a press statement.
Carmelo Bartolo, the MFA’s senior vice-president, said that the members of the MFA’s committee told the Malta Football Players Association officials that clubs “went on the warpath” when it emerged that the players’ body had elected to join a local trade union. “The clubs see the union as a threat,” Bartolo said.
The MFPA is asking for recognition by the MFA.
The Federation of Players FIFpro enjoys recognition by football’s world governing body. The GWU said that when a players association or union joins FIFpro, FIFA extends its recognition.
“Most players’ associations in Europe are either a union themselves or are associated to a local trade union. This is promoted also by FIFpro in its guidelines to new player groupings worldwide,” the GWU said.
“It is an isolated case, unfortunately in Malta, that the MFA's key actors – clubs – have such a view of unions in sport. All sportspersons who are economically active through sport are correct in seeking employment and industrial relations support from a union. Such an approach adopted by local Clubs is what actually generates deteriorated relationships between stakeholders,” the union said.
The GWU also said that Maltese football would benefit from the contribution of players supported by a union. “Labour regulation and conditions of employment can be improved to ensure progress and compliance. Such progress and compliance should not cause fear but should instead be a challenge that can be addressed in good faith by all actors.”
Matthew Vella, a freelance journalist at MaltaToday, was formerly executive editor at Malt...
•
No wonder the clubs are against Union memberhip fore the players.
If the players join a union, the clubs would no longer be able to buy and sell them like cattle.
•
while I agree about a players' union to look after the interests of the player can the union guarantee that these same players give their 100% in all the games that they play?
We know enough of maltese football that many players don't give their money's worth when it comes to league games. No wonder club presidents, who all of them are there on a voluntary basis are not happy with player unions as they would not want to add to their worries considering the tough time they have in making money for the same players.
Would the union accept that the club penalises players for yellow and red cards, say , €200 for yellow €500 for a red card and another €500 form each game missed.?
