Warner adds voice to call for salary cap

October 9, 2009

FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Jack Warner added his voice to those calling for a salary cap in club soccer and a requirement that teams field players from their native country, noting that emergence of the European “mega clubs” have left others behind.

Speaking Wednesday at the Chelsea Football Club for the second annual Leaders in Football conference – a gathering of about 1,000 soccer executives and officials – Warner noted the influx of wealthy owners such as Roman Abramovich at Chelsea, Malcom Glazer at Manchester United and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Manchester City in Europe, and especially England, has created excitement, but also concerns.

As one of 14 featured speakers at the conference, which also included the likes of English Premier League chairman David Richards, EA Sports President Peter Moore, Spanish Football Association President Angel Maria Villa Llona, Warner said the salary cap – mainly in European soccer — had become a necessity.

“This is necessary because poorer clubs will never, ever be able to compete with high spending ones,” he said. “I wish to argue that salary caps will allow clubs a more equal access to good players and will level the playing field when it comes to the opportunity to win.”

Without mandating a specific requirement, Warner also sought a quota system of local players, referencing FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s “six plus five” proposal which would require club teams to field at least six players eligible for their country’s national team.

“Ethics require a number of local players being selected and fielded for each club,” Warner said. “Clubs must come to the table and for the good of football agree to a plan. Am I hearing six plus five? Seven plus four? Eight plus three or the reverse?”

Warner also proposed a no-play moratorium, saying that for as little as six weeks and possibly as much as eight weeks, no professional soccer be played – either at the club or national team level.

“None. Anywhere, for any reason,” he said “This will allow players to recover and to give some breathing space from the pressures of club versus country, if only for a short while.

“I know that many of these ideas are not new and they will meet much resistance from clubs across Europe today and tomorrow as they did yesterday but the truth is while I understand the implications both legal and social of some of the suggestions I have raised, I am of the view that we must sit and talk to ensure that football is the winner not only for the now but also for the future.”

Read the full text of Jack Warner’s speech to the Leaders in Football conference here.

LONDON

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Tags: Al Nahyan, CHELSEA, club soccer, david richards, ea sports, English Premier League, Europe, european soccer, fifa president sepp blatter, football conference, jack warner, local players, Manchester, manchester city, president jack, President Jack Warner, President Peter Moore, professional soccer, quota system, Read, roman abramovich, salary cap, salary caps, sheikh mansour, wealthy owners, zayed al nahyan

Carly Zucker & Joe Cole Tie The Knot

June 24, 2009

The pair got married on Saturday at the Royal Hospital Chelsea as rumoured in a very lovely ceremony.

Carly Zucker (or should it be Cole), looked very beautiful in a strapless Oscar de la Renta gown and Joe very dapper in his grey suit.

The sporting couple managed to steer clear of any WAG tackiness, there wasn’t a horse, carriage or throne in sight…The wedding appeared very classy and understated.

In their exclusive interview with Hello! Carly says that she is now very happy to be a full time WAG, meaning no work for Mrs Cole!!

Carly explains: ‘I tried it (working) before with the personal training as well as running the house, and it just made me stressed and unhappy.’

‘It wasn’t good for me and it wasn’t good for Joe and his football. I am lucky enough to be in a position where I don’t have to work.’

Indeed you are Carly, if only we could all be as lucky!

She added: ‘I am offered projects all the time, but I don’t feel I need to prove anything, or that I need a career to feel good about myself.’

Read the full interview in Hello! magazine.

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