20 Dec 2017 16:14:16
For 002 if I may,
Can you explain the situation with Atleti making a complaint about Barcelona over the Griezmann approach. Surely the president meeting the family is not illegal or uncommon? What is atleticos complaint?

{Ed002's Note - Atletico has presented a letter as a complaint to FIFA that proposes that negotiations are being conducted with intermediaries (family and agent) for the transfer of Griezmann. The FIFA rules state that a club cannot approach a player directly and an agent cannot approach a player directly but they are complaining against a clause which discusses "negotiations" - and they claim that these have begun without their permission. This is by the letter of the law an abuse of FIFA rules but one which all clubs would be guilty of and it is not considered an issue. What AM are not sure of is if the club (Barcelona) has approached the player directly - this would certainly be a breach of the rules and would lead FIFA to look in to the matter. At present they are looking in to illegal approaches for two other player and it looks like the clubs involved will get warnings initially as both have admitted their guilt. I suspect it will all waft by and if it eventually comes to it then there would in this instance be a warning.}


1.) 24 Dec 2017
24 Dec 2017 15:59:52
Thank you for the detailed reply Ed. If I may follow up, and I apologise if this is ignorance on my part, but why would there be any interest in negotiating the transfer with his intermediaries? Surely this would need to be done with the club itself as the intermediaries would have no say?


2.) 24 Dec 2017
24 Dec 2017 16:04:30
Agents and intermediaries are involved in all aspects of the negotiation, not least the package offered to the player - which has nothing to do with the selling club. }.


3.) 24 Dec 2017
24 Dec 2017 16:41:34
Thank you Ed, if I may once more, are the buying club able to liaise with the players intermediaries and suggest what they would offer as a financial package if a transfer has not been agreed with the club?
Have a good Christmas Ed, hope your wives spoil you.

{Ed002's Note - it is how the business works.}