By Andrew Warshaw
December 15 – International players’ union FIFPro is celebrating exactly 25 years since the landmark Bosman ruling that changed the face of world football.
Jean-Marc Bosman (pictured), now 56, was a Belgian journeyman professional who sought to move from RFC Liege in his homeland to Dunkerque in France. Bosman had refused a new ‘offer’ from Liege, which was in fact a pay cut, and when his request to move was blocked and he was suspended, he took on football’s establishment and won with a landmark court victory against both the Belgian football federation and UEFA.
It took five years – at huge personal and financial cost to Bosman – but on December 15, 1995, the European Court of Justice ruled he and other footballers could move between clubs as free agents once their contract had expired.
Hence the phrase “on a Bosman” which is now ingrained in common football parlance.
“I’d say that because of my stubbornness and with the help of FIFPRO, I won the case,” Bosman was quoted as saying. “For me personally, the Bosman ruling represents liberty.”
FIFPro is now celebrating the occasion as well as honouring five other players or teams for their role in helping its members over the years.
Former player, manager, football director and broadcaster Jimmy Hill, who died in 2015, is one of those recognised having helped to ensure the abolition of the maximum wage for players.
Also included are former England international George Eastham (Domestic Freedom of Movement); USA Women’s World Cup-winning squad the 99ers (A New Era of Women’s Football); the Afghanistan Women’s National Team (Fighting Abuse); and former French-Algerian striker Zahir Belounis (Human Rights).
“FIFPRO and our national player unions are proud of the legacy of these players and the opportunity to have played a part in many of these stories,” said FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann.
“We salute these men and women who through personal sacrifices and collective action have changed the history of football for the better and often even reached far beyond the boundaries of our sport. It is important to remember this history and inspire the actions of the next generation.
“All players should be free to express their desire for change and encouraged to use their voice to seek change in football and society without fear of retribution. This remains as important today as ever.”
FIFPro president Philippe Piat added: “These players shaped what FIFPro is today and it is a pleasure to be able to look back on these victories they have achieved for themselves and their fellow professionals.
“There are many more stories and we will keep shedding light on these remarkable individuals and teams, whose perseverance changed the face of football.
“The work of FIFPRO and our player unions is never over, there are still many injustices to tackle. In the same way we stood together with many of these players, we will continue to offer help to today’s generation of footballers and those generations that follow them.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1715844598labto1715844598ofdlr1715844598owedi1715844598sni@w1715844598ahsra1715844598w.wer1715844598dna1715844598